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Gregory Gauvin Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Gregory Gauvin
A. Paul Vastola M.D.
September 10, 2010
I recently learned of Greg’s untimely death… In my excitement to reconnect with my old friend of over 25 years I sent him an email a few weeks ago…
My last visit with Greg was about 3 1/2 years ago and it was a typically wonderful affair on his back porch; Greg making dinner for us and having a few beers. I was in Boston with Jennifer at a meeting. We had a great meal in Lincoln, marveling at the timeline of growth on the stairs, the great conversations, the tour of the dark room …
So it was with great anticipation that I called The Department of Pathology yesterday, looking for Dr. Greg Gauvin. I was shocked to learn of his untimely passing from Joel Umlas, his colleague and friend for over 30 years. It was/is unreal to think of Greg as not being with us any more.
I was waiting to hear his voice, the gentle voice with a twinkle in it. Just as his eyes might light up while discussing the histologic characteristics of a Merkle cell tumor, the latest run, waiting to hear about the last photograph taken…
But alas no…
“He is no longer with us” the secretary says to me. No longer with us. “Is there a number perhaps?” A contact??
“One moment please…”
As Joel outlines the rapid and fulminant course, the aggressive nature of the carcinoma…
My minds eye recalls the miles, the years, that we spent together in Boston. The great dinners in Lincoln after a run in snow covered fields and woods. The warmth of the woodstove, as warm as Greg and Mary Lou welcomed me, a solitary voyager, a medical student in Boston, 1984.
He was a father figure to me. He was a mentor to me. He was a friend to me. He was a deep part of my growth. He is a deep part of my core, my essence…
He believed in me.
Our bond was tempered by the hundreds of miles we ran together. Striding along the Charles in Autumn. Running a quick 20 in March, getting ready for The Marathon. Our training taking us through 20 seasons together. The simple fellowship of time and distance… the mutual pain and pride.
Our contacts were less frequent upon my departure to New York. Yet, it would never take us more than 2 seconds to reestablish that bond, the feeling of kinship with him. His acceptance of Jennifer over three years ago was an example of his magnanimity, his intuition…
Greg was part of my life, cheering at my Medical School graduation, wishing glad tidings for my marriage, hearing of my divorce and welcoming someone new into my life.
Across the Great Divide, I feel a warmth in my heart, the glowing presence of my Old Friend, as I gaze into the shimmering distance.
He will be remembered in our souls forever.
February 3, 2010
We came upon Greg's on line obituary quit by accident. Just but a few days ago infact. What a shock! We even questioned could this be the Greg we knew as kids grewing up in Westmont, New Jersey; it was. My husband went thru grammer school with Greg and was his High School friend as well. I met Greg at 14 years of age and he became my friend as well. Greg always talked of becomeing a Doctor, and yes, was very easy to talk to, laugh with, have fun with. We all cheered when He could drive - it was cool than. He is a wonderful spirit and an asset in Heaven. We may not have seen him in years, and our lives took different paths, but we all were the better for knowing him. We will pray for you Mrs Gauvin and your daughter Michelle and family, that you are blessed with comfort and strength.
Al & Kathy DeGrasse, Tequesta, Florida
Sally Priem
July 31, 2009
I was saddened to recently learn of Dr. Gauvin's death. I was a 25yr. volunteer at MAH and got to know Greg over the years. He was a kind and gentle man with a smile that was magical. He had many talents and his love and respect of nature was captured in his photography. Greg will be missed by those whose lives he so gently touched. My heartfelt sympathy to his family.
Linda Lederer
April 22, 2009
Thank you Marylou and Michelle and all those who helped put together a beautiful memorial service for Uncle Greg. He will be so missed by Pete and I. Hope you are winning Boston in Heaven! And, of all things, Bill Rodgers sends his condolences too. Love, Linda & Pete
Cherie Haitz
April 21, 2009
In the past few weeks I've been thinking of Dr. Gauvin [Greg] in many ways. Here are just a few memories. I've worked at the hospital a number of years and have had the great pleasure to know such a gentle man. He would ask me to get him some information in such a kind way, almost as if reluctant to disturb me. Then there were other times when he'd joke with me in good sport about some thing in my line of work as medical librarian. His eyes and smile would light up his face and I'll always remember him in just that way. Every year he shared his photography and thoughts with us at our Holiday Grand Rounds in the auditorium. It was such a wonderful gift for us all. How we will miss him!
What a great loss this is for you his family and everyone he touched. As well, what a legacy we have.
Sue Lima-Henry
April 21, 2009
I had the honor of working with Dr. Gauvin for 11 years in the lab. I worked in micro and he was one of nicest pathologists that I have ever worked for/with. I remember that at the ripe old age of 33 I didn't feel well and had a CBC drawn and tested. I came back positive for mono! I went storming into hematology to let them know they must have made some crazy mistake and Greg met me at the door and said "Sue, I checked it myself...now go home and get better!" I left.
I loved his photographs, his gentle manner and quiet voice. I am truly sorry for your loss.
Mary Beth Maezes
April 20, 2009
My sincerest and deepest sympathy goes to Dr. Gauvin's family.
I worked in the Microbiolgy Department at Mount Auburn before I moved to Oregon to be closer to family. Dr. Gauvin always took the time to talk and make you feel special, even when he was busy.
He would always take the time to listen and share.
Being new to the area, and new to the Boston Red Sox, I was beyond thrilled when he gave me a picture of Kurt Schilling that one of his friends had taken in 2004. I framed that picture and it is displayed prominently on my entertainment center. It will always be a cherished memory of Boston and especially of Dr. Gauvin and his kindness.
This is a devastating loss for Dr. Gauvin's family, friends, and Mount Auburn Hospital.
Joe and Jean Allen
April 19, 2009
Our deepest sympathies to the Greg's family. Our years at MAH were many and it was an honor and a pleasure to work next to such a dedicated, intelligent and unpretentious doctor. We'll think of him often as our home is adorned with many of his photos. My wife has always said in the dictionary under the word oxymoron is Greg's picture. A pathologist wearing a smile, always willing to converse with a colleague. A doctor so unassuming he considered everyone from physicians to lab techs to the office receptionist as an equal. He has run his last marathon but he'll always remain a winner to us. Hopefully we'll all meet again at the finish line.
suzanne Lalumiere
April 19, 2009
To Dr. Gauvins family:
My Deepest Sympathy for your loss.
All of us at the MAH laboratory mourn the
loss of this fine man. I worked under Dr.
Gauvin for thirty years. For that time,
the techs in the Hematology lab had his
expertise for our cases needing pathology review. He was always polite,
even during our sometimes constant interruptions of his work; asking him to
review slides or fluid crystals. We are lost without him.
He handled a difficult personal problem for me with kindness and understanding. We will miss him every day.
Paul Broussard
April 18, 2009
To Dr. Gauvin's family,
Please accept my sincere sympathy for your loss. I've known Dr. Gauvin for 18 years, but really got to know him well during the last 10 years at the Mount Auburn Hospital. He was one of the most kind and genuine persons I've ever met and always had time for you despite his very busy schedule. We shared a love of B+W photography and through that became better friends. One of his many talents
was making fabulous B+W prints. I will miss his photographic help and his "peace sign" wave as I would pass by his office. I feel a great loss that he is gone and know that everyone in the
Mount Auburn community feels the same.
April 17, 2009
My deepest condolences to DR. Gauvin's family. Although I only worked at M.A. hospital laboratory for a little less than a year I can only think of D.R. Gauvin's kind face and calm mannerism that always said hello to me and made me feel so welcomed at my new job. I will miss seeing him around here. My thoughts and prayers would be with D.R. Gauvin's family
Betsabeh Ghazian
Howard Lam
April 17, 2009
It was a shame that I never saw the other side of Greg before he was sick. I never got to know him better.
I have only been at Mount Auburn for 11 months yet Greg has touched me greatly. I remember as if it was only yesterday, when he and I was in the frozen section room working on a skin biopsy. He took the time to show me the technique as I still vividly remember today. That was only 2 weeks ago before he left for the last time. He was very dedicated to his work and appeased many.
He was a man who always had time to pause from his work to say Good morning Howard or a simple hello. While the work that I did for him was not always perfect, he always appreciated my efforts. Aside from his serious work, Greg was human. Greg was kind, thoughtful,understanding, and I saw that. I only wish that I got to know him longer and say my good bye. He is my friend and my hero.
Greg was very admirable, sincere, and intelligent man. I will miss him very much and I can only hope to see his legacy continue in the lab at MAH.
My heart goes to the Gauvin family. May you find peace during this difficult time.
Len Zir
April 16, 2009
Greg and I were running buddies for many years. Almost every day after work we'd put our sneakers on and run around the Charles river. We ran when it was 20 below, in the sleet, in the rain and when it was way too hot. We ran the boston and newport marathons. We even did a marathon hike across the white mountains. It was so easy to be with Greg. Most of our conversation was about our families and some about work. Greg never stopped talking about MaryLou and how proud he was of his daughter Michelle. After I couldn't run anymore, my wife and I always made it a point to meet Greg during the boston marathon. That was always the highlight of the race for us.
Greg was a straightforward , generous, heartwarming soul. He was a brilliant pathologist and a quiet but outstanding leader at Mt. Auburn Hospital.
I will miss him dearly. The Mount Auburn Hospital community will miss him dearly as well. My heart goes out to the Gauvin family.
April 16, 2009
To the entire Gauvin family, please accept my sincere sympathy...I have worked at the Mount Auburn Laboratory for only two years now, and will always remember Dr. G's kind and beautiful blue eyes, and that wonderful smile that always greeted me with his hello. He was a true gentleman and will be missed greatly in our workplace. Please be comforted by all the gifts that Dr. Gauvin left you and may your memories of him stay with you always.
Sincerely,
Janice Kasparian Metjian
Richard Palumbo
April 16, 2009
My sincere condolences to his family. We who knew him here at Mount Auburn are all saddened by the loss of such a genuine gentleman, consummate professional and just an all around great guy. I will miss him deeply.
Mab Butterfield
April 16, 2009
I would like to send my deepest sympathy
to Dr Gauvin's family and friends. I trained as a resident at Mount Auburn and then went on to join the staff. Dr Gauvin's elective in pathology was one of the residents favorite. He was such a kind and caring teacher. I would often call him to get help with difficult cases - he always made the time to help me. Dr Gauvin knew everyone in the hospital by name and treated everyone with equal kindness. Mount Auburn Hospital was a much better place because of him - I will miss him.
Jonathan E. Briley
April 16, 2009
He was never my "boss"...
Having known him at M.A.H. for almost 18 years we spent many hours discussing books, Philosophy, Religion... Life.
He was also for a number of years back a cherished after-work running partner. During those long miles his commentaries, insights, and deep love of nature never ceased to amaze and humble me...
As an ordained Buddhist I considered him a "Bodisattva" - that is an individual of the utmost kindness, humility and refinement who always held all others far above himself. He was truely unique amoung men.
His passing has left a great hole in me that can never be filled, and the halls of Mount Auburn Hospital will now and forever feel empty to me without him.
he was My Friend...
Terri Swartout
April 15, 2009
To MaryLou, Michelle and Dr. G's family: My deepest sympathy to all of you during this difficult time. I will always remember Dr. G as a warm and caring person with a wonderful laugh and smile. I will see him in b&w photos, in trees and leaves, and guess the bird without his help. He gave me an opportunity to learn and grow, and I am simply a better person for having had the privilege of working with such a warm and caring man. I will always miss him and think of him during every marathon. Love and light to you Dr. G, and may your family find comfort in wonderful memories and the love of each other.
April 15, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Gauvin's family at this time. I cherished the years I worked in the lab. under his guidance. He cared for all. I know everyone will miss his gentle smile. He was a caring man. Winnie Eke (West Roxbury).
NIna Daw
April 15, 2009
I want to let the family and friends of Dr G. know how sorry I am for your loss. He was a wonderful man and I will never forget that smile that greeted me most nights when I entered the lab. I went for a run last night and thought of him the whole way. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
John McGrath
April 15, 2009
To the family of Dr. Gauvin,
My deepest sympathies to Mrs. Gauvin and Michelle. Working at Mount Auburn Hospttal I was introduced to Greg by Dr. Umlas as he knew I was a runner. From then on (1996) Greg and I became good friends, he would always stop and chat with me about running and our nagging injuries. Although saddened by this sudden loss Ill be watching this years Boston Marathon on Monday and I know Ill be thinking of "Dr. Greg" throuout the race. Such a loss, but I feel lucky to have known him. Everybody was his equal
and you always knew his friendship was genuine.
Sincerley, John McGrath
Amee Hayes
April 15, 2009
I would like to send my thoughts and prayers to the Gauvin family. I worked in the lab when I first moved to Boston in 1989. I considered Dr. Gauvin a mentor, someone I could go to with a question, big or small. Even though I moved to another department, he would always stop to say hi and ask how I was whenever I saw him. I was lucky to know him. He will be truly missed.
Dawn LaValley
April 15, 2009
My thoughts & prayers are with the family of Dr Gauvin at this time. I worked with Dr. Gauvin at Mt Auburn for many years. He was a wonderful doctor but most of all a wonderful human being. Always would take the time to stop and chat with me. Through rough times, kind words & hugs, I will always remember. I am sad at his passing but am soothed with the knowledge that he is no longer in pain. His memory will live in my heart ,as well many others, forever.
Jack Daly
April 15, 2009
To the family of Dr Gauvin,I wish to express my sincere condolences on your loss.I work in the lab at mount auburn hospital and have known Dr Gauvin for over 10 years.He was an incredible human being and he wasalways so caring about the patients and the employees as well.He was very dedicated to his work and to everyone who knew him.He will be greatly missed
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