Melvin Earle Gaudette

Melvin Earle Gaudette, 7/12/1931 - 6/22/2024

Surrounded by his loving family, Earle was peacefully reunited with his one and only love of
over 75 years, Gloria J. Fanning, on June 22, 2024, just shy of his 93rd birthday.

Earle fell in love with Gloria at first sight after meeting her on the beach in 1948. He returned
home after being Honorably discharged from the Navy on April 13, 1953 and married the love
of his life Gloria on April 20, 1953.  They soon started their family and were loving parents to
Micheal E. of Vero Beach, FL, Mark Stephen (wife Brenda), David A. (wife Robin), Christine A.
Boucher (preceded in death), Laurie E. Lapointe (companion Craig Soares) Julie G. Olafsson
(husband Oli), of New Canaan, CT. He was the grandfather of Michaela Goozey and Ethan
Gaudette; Jodi Levesque, Rochelle, Laura, Nathan Gaudette; Phelix Gaudette; DMD. Steven
and Christian Boucher; Leah, Cody and David Lapointe; Ella and Bryndis Olafsson and seven
great-grandchildren. He was the uncle to his late brother, Merton Edward's 10 children who
were lovingly referred to as the "West Coast Gaudettes".

A graduate of B.M.C. Durfee High School, Earle joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves at the
age of 17. He then entered the U.S. Navy as a radarman and was stationed on the USS
Manchester CL-83, serving proudly in the Korean War, earning the Korean service Medal with
three engagement stars, the UN Service Medal, Navy Occupation Medal & Good Conduct
Medal. In addition to his radarman duties, he also had the honor of being the private chauffeur
of the Admiral. Earle was a very proud Veteran and in his later years, often enjoyed spending
time with friends at the DAV on Pine St. Fall River. Although he never went to college, he
tested at a genius level in the Navy, had a hunger for knowledge, and was a brilliant man.

After his honorable discharge, Earle was employed by the "Telephone Company", then known
as MA Bell, during the Cold War. Earle, along with his team, played a significant role in
establishing the telecommunications infrastructure of the United States and retired from his
supervisory position after 33 years of perfect attendance.

Being a lifelong resident of Fall River, Earle faithfully served the residents as a City Councilor
for 22 years and a Bristol County Commissioner for 16 years. He was born and died in the
Maplewood section of Fall River, where he served as the president of the Maplewood
Neighborhood Association for many years. He loved serving and was a people person who
always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met.

Above all else, Earle was a dedicated husband and father. The family enjoyed their early years
summering at the "cabana", at South Shore Beach, in Little Compton, RI and later gathered
with family and friends at their summer home at East Beach in Westport, MA. In 1969, he
invested $300 in an Army surplus bus that the family converted into a camper which everyone
lovingly referred to as the "The Bus". Earle believed that education didn't just happen in the
classroom, there were life lessons all around us every day. As a family they took annual trips
up and down the east coast, never missing an opportunity to stop along the way to visit our
nation's capital, Juniper Springs National Forest, Sunset Pier in Key West, or tour the caverns
in Virginia as they drove through the Appalachian Mountains. He had a great sense of humor

and would often tell locals that we were gypsies living and traveling in “The Bus”, while
instilling the importance of always leaving a place better than you found it.
After retiring from the telephone company, he and Gloria designed and built their dream home
in the woods, along with the help of their children. The Gaudette’s was always a warm and
welcoming home where many amazing pool parties were shared by family and friends
throughout the years. His children’s many friends often said they felt like part of the Gaudette
family, and enjoyed hearing his stories about meeting Gloria, politics, and his time in Korea.

Earle enjoyed life to the fullest, but his first priority was making sure his wife was happy and his
children were loved and protected. He was an avid reader of military history and genealogy,
spending decades tracing his family roots back to the Vikings and the Kings of England.

We the Gaudette children would like to give a sincere "Thank you" to Sierra Nykiel, a special
friend and trained hospice provider, who came to his bedside in our time of need and gave the
gift of leading us in the conversation about his love for our mother Gloria, military service,
funny memories, and the deep love, respect, and appreciation we have for him. Surrounded by
this comfort, our dad was able to pass peacefully to go be with our mother Gloria and our dear
sister Christine, knowing how much we loved him and that we were at peace with his passing.
It would be remiss, not to mention his constant companions, his dogs Max (preceded in death)
and then Wicket.  Whether riding to the market or cutting wood for his stove, Earle loved his
dogs who stayed faithfully by his side until the very end.
The world is a better place for him having been in it. Tinker, tailor, soldier, spy, Earle was a
man of many talents, and to his children he will always be remembered as a king among men.
With great gratitude we say thank you and rest in peace Dad.
Your loving children.
We ask our friends and family to please share a fond memory or funny story of how Earle
touched your life.  If you’d like, donations in his honor can be made to Forever Paws Animal
Shelter ( https://www.foreverpaws.com/donate ) and the Disabled Veterans of America
(https://www.dav.org/).