TRAVERSE CITY – Frank A. Gauthier gently passed away Friday, August 19, 2017, taking his place in heaven next to his loving wife, Dorothy.

Frank was the youngest of six, born on April 6, 1920, to William and Germaine (Schaub) Gauthier. Born and raised in Lake Leelanau, Frank graduated from St. Mary Catholic School in 1938 and was a member of the State Championship Basketball Team – an accomplishment he was very proud of. He joined the family business as a meat cutter at his father's meat market in Lake Leelanau and later worked in Traverse City.

On July 3, 1940, Frank married the love of his life, Dorothy Priest, at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Lake Leelanau. Two children, Ann Marie and Glenn, followed.

Frank and Dorothy raised their family in Traverse City with the exception of four years living in Muskegon during World War II. Frank spent his working years at Cone Drive Gear and Immaculate Conception Church and School. They retired to Sebastian, FL, in 1982 but returned to Traverse City in 2001 to be closer to their family.

Family was everything to Frank and Dorothy – constantly being involved in gatherings on both sides of their extended families. They always doted on their four grandchildren and were the epitome of loving grandparents. Frank took great pleasure in corresponding with friends and relatives, and he especially enjoyed reading the constant flow of letters from his grandson, Brian. In his younger years, Frank also enjoyed golfing, fishing, and "tinkering".

His Catholic faith meant everything to Frank his entire life. He was a former member of the Immaculate Conception Church Choir and the Men's Club, and he attended daily mass until the decline in his health in recent years. Even then, he was never very far from his rosary and prayer cards.

Frank is survived by his caring son, Glenn (Gary Woodhams) Gauthier, his grandchildren Brian (Marleny) Bixby, Shari (Doug) Chouinard, Alicia (Terry) McQuater and Doug (Nancy Wesenberg) Bixby. He is also survived by nine great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild (and another one on the way) and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to Dorothy, his wife of 68 years, Frank was also preceded in death by his loving and dedicated daughter Ann Bixby, his son-in-law Rex Bixby, his parents and his siblings Mary Louise, Elizabeth, Ottilia, Gerald and William Jr.

A funeral will be held at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home on Wednesday, August 23, 2017, at ¬¬11:00 with the family receiving guests one hour prior.

Memorials may be directed to the Frank and Dorothy Gauthier Endowed Scholarship Fund at St. Mary Catholic School, 307 St. Mary St., Lake Leelanau, MI 49653.