Obituary of George Gautreau
Gautreau, George
At LHSC Victoria Hospital on December 29, 2024 Norman "George" Gautreau at the age of 66. Beloved son of Ruth (late Bob) Homuth and the late Norman Gautreau. Life long friend of Doug Borodenko. Fondly remembered by his care giver Katie Symonds. Dear nephew of Gina (Gerry) Shaw. Survived by siblings Bob, Donna and Kelly. Dear friend of Caroline and Mark. George will be missed by his intercommunity family with who he formed at special connection with. At the family request no funeral services will be held. Donations to London Intercommunity Health Centre (https://lihc.on.ca/) would be appreciated.
Norman George Gautreau, commonly referred to as "George" to those of us who knew him, was a good human being, a good man, a good son, and a good friend.
George held many roles in his life. He was a vehement supporter and loyal beyond reason friend, especially to his coffee companion of 10 years, Doug. He was a true ally to those he cared for still living on "park benches" as he once had, and he had been a steadfast employee at Intercommunity where he had packaged harm reduction supplies proudly. George was an alter boy in his younger years, and a great faithful believer in the Roman Catholic Church. He was a purposeful and driven valued participant who was also an instrumental teacher to so many St. Leonard's Project Home staff who had the privilege to work with him over 5 years time. Staff at Intercommunity Health Centre would consider him a continuous tireless advocate of their program and he would have also considered them, his medical team, lifelong friends. Most importantly he was a nephew to his Aunt Gina and Uncle Gerry and a treasured, beloved and precious son to his mother Ruth.
George never once failed to ask you how your day was and was polite against all odds. The way this fact is worded alone does not seem to adequately surmise what a feat and how spectacular this was. On days when he felt burdened by the chance of eviction he would thank you for your time. As the nurses asked for him to provide them a time to take his last breath, he thanked them for their services. That is remarkable. But that was George for you - caring and loving in every capacity that he had.
George was an avid fan of Elton John documentaries. A loyal son. A black with three sugar coffee drinker with a smoke nestled in for good measure. He preferred every morsel of food to the sweet extreme. He would say he loved crosswords but he really loved word searches. He loved the races and bingo cards and certainly any opportunity to play with luck on his side. He never gave up that sparkle of possibility. George was a mentor to a young boy with exceptionalities who lived in his beloved building of Scenic Drive and he would tell tales of how he had managed to connect with him. George always had a wry grin and looked like he was up to ruckus. But the mischievous smile was where this ended. George was good. George always saw the very best in people. He was resourceful and driven to be the best version of himself after all. And by doing so, he made others better for the knowing of him.
George yearned for and counted down the days to the cottage each year. Here he felt absolute bliss with his family at his side. There was no more serene place out there than the cottage to be here on earth in his mind.
We like to think that George is enroute to his new adventure. A place alike his cottage, but even that much better, where he can go swimming in enchanted waters and soar high with the melodies of Rocket Man by Elton John, the very tune that played as he left this world so very loved.
