Jean Gauthier

JEAN PHILIPPE GAUTHIER1937 - 2013Jean passed away peacefully on February 20th, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family. Jean was sent to the Lakehead in 1956 by the Montreal Canadiens to play defense for the Fort William Jr. Canadians. Shortly after arriving, a young nursing student, Elsie Chicorli, caught his eye and they were married here in 1959. They then set out on a journey that would see Jean's hockey career taking them from Montreal to the west coast, across the US and back again. Along the way, they raised four children and enjoyed their summers in the Laurentians.Jean was proud to have won a Memorial Cup with the Flin-Flon Bombers (1958), a Stanley Cup with the Canadiens (1965) and a WHL Championship with the Seattle Totems (1967). He was an original Philadelphia Flyer, having been in the starting line-up for their very first game in 1967. He played part of the 68-69 season for the Boston Bruins and in 1970, was chosen by the Canadian National Team to play in a series of exhibition games in Russia, one of the first professionals to do so. Just as his life began and ended in Montreal, so did his NHL career as he was reacquired by the Habs in 1970.Later, as a proud Montreal Alumnus, he would skate with Les Anciens Canadiens as they played games across the country in support of various charities and would graciously host family and friends at games at the Forum and Molson and Bell Centres. Jean is survived by his wife Elsie; children: Diane, Rick (Judy), John (Nina) and Michelle (Vic); grandchildren: Jennifer, Michael, Emma and Colin Gauthier; brothers: Pierre (Therese) of Miami and Ray (Ghislaine) and brother-in-law Tom Chicorli. He was predeceased by his father Adrien, mother Celine, father-in-law Walter, mother-in-law Anne, sisters-in-law Eleanor Chicorli and Sonia Grant (Jim) and brother-in-law Rob Chicorli (Lynda).Funeral services are being held today in Montreal. Online condolences at www.jj.cardinal.ca"Those who met you will never forget you."