GAUDETTE, George Etienne, age 88, of Keystone Heights, died on April 11, 2014. Beloved son of the late Joseph and Delphica [Girouard] Gaudette of Granby, MA. Predeceased by his wife, Frances, in 1984. Survived by 4 loving sisters: Simone Newton of Wilbraham, MA; Therese Purcell of Holyoke, MA; Rita Lariviere of Granby, MA; and Helene Brooks of Orange, MA; and 28 nieces and nephews. Predeceased by two brothers: Joseph Rene, in 2002; and Joseph Leo, in 2013. He also leaves his loving friends; Larry Easton and his wife, Elizabeth, of Melrose and their four children, Meredith and husband, Gabe Cox, [children Teagan and Kylie], Matthew, Katherine, and Christopher, who became Georges adopted family and lovingly cared for George when care was needed. George grew up on a large working dairy farm in Granby, MA and learned his life values in that small town . . . hard work, joie de vivre and a generosity of spirit. He attended public schools in Granby and was a graduate of South Hadley High School, class of 1943. Encouraged by his high school principal, he applied and was accepted to the Naval Air Force V 12 A program. The program consisted of many academic courses at several colleges [RPI, Georgia Tech and Harvard] followed by flight training at Corpus Christie, Texas. He earned his wings and became a Navy pilot in early 1945. He flew the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver scout bomber and earned the rank of Lieutenant. After the war ended, he attended Harvard University, graduating in 1949. In 1950, he married Helen Bochak. That marriage ended in divorce. He later married Frances in 1961 and they enjoyed 23 years together before her death in 1984. Their baby son died in infancy. George spent his entire career working as a highly successful educational salesman for 2 encyclopedia companies, ending as Southern manager of 4 states for 25 years for Encyclopedia Britannica. As a boy, his father had taught him how to hunt, set a trap line, and fish. Fishing, specifically bass fishing, became his avocation. He loved the sport and especially enjoyed fishing with his brother, Leo, and his brother-in-law, Albert on their annual trips down to Florida to fish with George. Over the years, George competed in and won many bass fishing tournament trophies of which he was very proud. George was a communicant of St. Williams Catholic Church in Keystone Heights. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Williams Roman Catholic Church in Keystone Heights, Florida. Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. WALKER DR. KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL 32656. 352-473-3176.www.jonesgallagherfh.com hide