George Ignatius Gauthier Jr.

George I. Gauthier (Dover, NH): George Ignatius Gauthier, 78, of Dover, NH, passed away peacefully just after the final day of summer ended, right after midnight, on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, at Dover Center for Health & Rehabilitation following a period of failing health. His beloved wife and daughter spent the weekend helping him reach the angels in Heaven by holding his hands, listening and singing to his favorite songs, and telling him how much he was

loved. His final words will stay with them forever, "I just want to dance to the music."

He was born on January 6, 1947, in Norwood, MA, to the late George I. Gauthier and Barbara (Dahlstrom) Gauthier. He graduated from Kennebunk High School in 1965. He then proudly joined the United States Navy and served as a Radioman in Vietnam on the USS Cabildo (LSD-16) from 1965-1966. He was also a proud member of the USS Cabildo Crew Members' Association.

After his time in the Navy, he worked in Florida and Northern Maine before moving to coastal Maine in the early 1970s. He settled in Ogunquit, "the beautiful place by the sea", a town full of charm and character just like him. He worked as the General Manager of the Old Cove Steak House and Chef at the Inn Crowd. It was there, at the Inn Crowd, where George met the love of his life, Mary Jo. As he would tell anyone who listened for years to come, he knew the moment she walked in that he was going to marry her one day. While waiting for her to finally agree to go out with him a few years later, he kept himself busy working, making friends everywhere, and riding his registered pure-bred horse.

After falling in love in Perkins Cove, Ogunquit, George and Mary Jo celebrated their love with their friends and family by marrying at the Hillcrest Inn in 1978. They have been married for 47 years and together for 50 years. In 1979, George and Mary Jo moved to Dover, NH where they opened Jacob's Deli at 2 Locust Street in 1981. George loved being a part of the community and was active in Lions' Club where he also served as President for a term. George developed an interest in Real Estate and became a broker along with owning apartment buildings in Dover and Rollinsford, NH. He was also

Chairman of the Dover Industrial Development Authority and was instrumental in the development of Enterprise Park.

George was a voracious reader and taught himself how to do many things. He truly loved figuring how to best solve any problem no matter how big or small. He was resourceful, innovative, relentless, stubborn, and passionate. Despite his often hard exterior, he was also kind, tender and affable. He was quick-witted and had a great sense of humor up until the end. He loved Westerns and believed a man ought to have a code or creed to live by just like his favorites, John

Wayne and Leroy Jethro Gibbs. And boy did he love visiting and feeding the horses up the street and ending his day with a scotch on the rocks.

Above all, George's greatest love was his family. He leaves behind his beautiful and devoted wife, Mary Jo (Rollins) Gauthier; and his treasured daughter, Jessica (Gauthier) LaBonte and her husband, Rob LaBonte. He also shared a special bond with his yellow lab, Spenser (1999-2014), and his daughter's chocolate lab, Lenny (2014-2025), both of whom were eagerly wagging their tails waiting for him to bring treats and tennis balls when he finally arrived to see them again. He will be greatly missed. The love and lessons he left behind will last forever for those who knew him. And to know him was to love him dearly.

George's family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to his caregivers at Dover Rehab and Harmony Homes for the kindness and support they provided him this summer.

Visitation will be held at Purdy Funeral Home, 655 Central Avenue Dover, NH 03820 on Monday, September 29th, 2025, from 10am-11am. A funeral service will follow at 11am. George will then be laid to rest at Pine Hill Cemetery in Dover

immediately after.