Regiment: Battalion of Irish Fusiliers
Maurice Gauthier was the fourth of 7 children of Donat Gauthier and Alice Roux. He was born in Haverhill, Mass. USA on November 13, 1912. When he was one year old, the family moved to Gravelbourg SK, and returned to the eastern states after 10 years. As a young boy, Maurice worked after school in a shoe factory. In 1929, at age 17, the family moved from New Hampshire to Alberta. They settled on a homestead in Girouxville. Maurice bought his own homestead when he was 18 (SE 2-78-23-5). In 1942 he joined the army, being based in Vancouver BC. Discharged on February 26, 1946, he married Juliette Gougeon on November 11, 1947. They lived on Maurice’s homestead, and in the winter they worked at lumber camps. In 1949 they bought their first new ¾ ton truck. Over they years they farmed 3 quarters of land, and had 3 children: Evelyn, Ron, and Richard. A new modern house was built in 1952. During his semi-retirement years, Maurice and Juliette traveled to warmer locations during the winters. Julie developed cancer, and sadly passed away April 1984, at age 64. Maurice passed the farm on this his younger son, Richard, and he moved to the Girouxville Manor. After a year, he married Paquerette (Charest) Dufresne. They enjoyed camping, fishing, and socializing. Maurice died suddenly at age 76, on December 16, 1988. He was buried in Girouxville. Paquerette died in 2009.
Source: Refexions pp. 566-567, Photos p. 567