John J. Gaudette

June 23, 1935 - November 22, 2019

COLEBROOK – John J. Gaudette, 84, of Colebrook, died on Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, at the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital after a long period of declining health and with his beloved family by his side. He was born in Norton, Vt., on June 23, 1935, a son to the late Denis and Lorena (Potter) Gaudette. He attended the local school and was raised in Norton and later in Groveton. At the age of 17, John joined the U.S. Army and began a 24-year career as an Army Ranger and Airborne Infantry Paratrooper. He saw combat action in both Korea and Vietnam and was awarded a Purple Heart during the Vietnam conflict. He had more than 100 jumps as part of his service record, and retired at the rank of Sergeant First Class. After his military service, John returned home to the north country and worked for many years as a truck driver for several local companies, including for Gaston Rodrique, Bruce Haynes and Dan Ouimette. He enjoyed hunting and fishing in his spare time, and he continued to serve his fellow military colleagues and veterans as a member of the American Legion Northland Post 47 and the Nulhegan Post of the VFW in North Stratford, where he was a Post Commander, and the VFW Weeks Post 3041 in Lancaster. John also enjoyed watching the birds at his home, and he was an avid NASCAR fan. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend to many who will miss him dearly. John is survived by his daughter, Mary Mailhot-Gaudette of Deerfield, NH; his wife of 26 years, Lynda (King) Gaudette of Colebrook, and her children, Jeffrey (Brenda) Gaudette of North Stratford, Ronald (Tamela) Gaudette of North Stratford, Tina Hand of St. Johnsbury, Vt., Tammy (Joseph) Fortin of North Stratford, Wendy (Shawn) Covill of Bloomfield, Vt., and Wanda Riff of Lewisville, Tex.; a nephew who he considered as close as a son, Edward (Sherrie) Gaudette of East Wakefield, NH; three brothers, Wilfred (Vicky) Gaudette of Colebrook, Henry (Carol) Gaudette of Gorham, NH, and William Gaudette of Colebrook; 19 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren; many nephews and nieces; and his beloved four-legged friends, Brandee, Kahlua, and Miss Kitty. He is predeceased by a son, Herbert, in 1968, and eight siblings, David Gaudette, Archie Gaudette, Arthur Gaudette, Pauline Stohl, Leo Gaudette, Elizabeth Cote, and Paul and Francis Gaudette as infants. Calling hours will be on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A graveside interment service with military honors will follow in the spring of 2020 at the Fairview Cemetery in North Stratford, of which notice will be given. Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Gaudette may be made to the Coös Animal Sanctuary, P.O. Box 345, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.