Francis “Gokey” Ernest Gauthier, age 94, of 32 Payville Lane, Saranac Lake, died Monday, May 02, 2016 at Uihlein Mercy Center in Lake Placid.

Born in Moffitsville, New York on July 13, 1921, he was the son of Ernest and Nora (Jabout) Gauthier. Francis remarried Janice Stearns on February 11, 1980 in Bloomingdale, NY.

Francis was a graduate of Saranac Lake High School Class of 1940. He moved to Rochester, NY where he worked for General Motors for a few years. In 1943 he was inducted into the United States Navy and served on the USS Richard P. Leary during World War II until February 1946. Following the war Francis returned to Saranac Lake and was employed as a police officer for the Village of Saranac Lake. He married June Sawyer on May 10, 1948. She predeceased him in 1978. Francis later worked for the New York State Department of Transportation until his retirement. He also served as Town Justice for the Town of St. Armand for many years and was an avid hunter.

He is survived by his wife Janice Gauthier of Saranac Lake, two sons Dale (Ann) Gauthier of Clifton Park, NY and Jan (Melanie) Gauthier of Mims, FL, one daughter Terri (James) Farmer of Titusville, FL, 8 Grandchildren and 4 Great Grandchildren. He was predeceased by one brother Homer Gauthier.

Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Sunday May 8, 2016 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. A funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM on Monday May 9, 2016 at the funeral home with Rev. Patrick Ratigan officiating. Burial will follow at Brookside Cemetery in Bloomingdale.

Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.

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