CHRISTOPHER R. GAUTHIER

GAUTHIER, CHRISTOPHER R., 37, of Wilton Avenue died Thursday, January 7, 2010 at home surrounded by his loving family. A lifelong resident of Pawtucket, he was the beloved son of Ronald J. and Elaine S. (Laffey) Gauthier of Pawtucket.

At age 8, Chris was diagnosed with a cancer that was particularly difficult to identify and treat. Over the years, Chris grew to trust the doctors of Boston's Children's Hospital, who went above and beyond, to try to save the life of their heroic young patient.

Chris never let his struggle with cancer, and the aftermath of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, hold him back from achieving his goals. Because of serious health problems caused by his cancer treatment, Chris was never able to participate in high school sports, but he made an invaluable contribution to Tolman sports as a statistician and reporter. He was named the 1990 Boys & Girls Club of Pawtucket 'Youth of the Year' for his outstanding example of courage in the face of adversity, and was named the 1990-91 Rhode Island 'State Youth of the Year' by the Boys & Girls Club of America. Christopher was also the recipient of the Dick Reynolds Award his senior year, an honor given to the top high school sports correspondent in the State. He also won the Secretary of State Leadership Award in 1990. He graduated from Tolman High School in 1990 as President of his Senior Class.

After high school, Chris went to Syracuse University, where he was accepted into the highly competitive and prestigious Newhouse School of Communications. During his junior and senior years, he worked as an intern in the Public Relations Office of the Boston Red Sox, beginning a relationship which would last for many years. Following his graduation from Syracuse in 1994, Chris would work for the Boston Red Sox, the Pawtucket Times, and the Pawtucket Red Sox, always choosing jobs that allowed him to express his lifelong love of sports.

When Chris was asked where he found the strength to persevere after such an adversity, he said, 'It was my family and my second family at the Jimmy Fund'. The late Ted Williams said it best when asked about Chris Gauthier. He simply said, 'I'd have him on my team anytime!'

Chris was a member of St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church, Pawtucket, where he served on the Parish Council and was the Rhode Island President and later New England President of SOYO (Society of Orthodox Youth Organization).

For the past 15 years, Chris worked for Fidelity Investments in Boston and Providence, most recently as a Senior Marketing Manager.

Chris did not allow himself to be defeated by the extraordinary challenges of his daily life. His courage in the face of extreme adversity has been an inspiration to those who knew him.

Besides his parents, he is survived by his loving sister, Stephanie Chowning and her husband, Bryan and his beloved nephew and niece, Nicholas and Leila Chowning, all of Cumberland; and his loving uncles, aunts and cousins.

His funeral will be held TUESDAY, JANUARY 12 at 10 A.M. at St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church, 249 High Street, Pawtucket. Burial will be in Walnut Hill Cemetery.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Church, MONDAY 4-8 P.M. Please omit flowers. Contributions in Chris's memory to St. Mary's Antiochian Orthodox Church, 249 High Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860, Home & Hospice Care of RI, 1085 North Main Street, Providence, RI 02904-9826 or The Jimmy Fund, 44 Binney Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02115 would be appreciated. For Directions and Guest Book, please visit www.bellowsfh.com. Arrangements by Bellows-Falso Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln.