Obituary of J. Guy Gaulin

J. Guy Gaulin, 95, died on Saturday, December 31, 2022 with his daughter by his side after a long life, well-lived. He was a member of the Greatest Generation, born on February 24, 1927 in Holyoke, Massachusetts, the son of Donat and Yvonne (Rousseau) Gaulin. He was raised in Lambton, Quebec, Canada, and educated in Quebec City. In 1944 he returned to Holyoke, a young man in pursuit of the American dream. He proudly served as a hospital corpsman in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was deployed to the Mediterranean, and later served in the Korean War, stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital, New Hampshire. The day he met Geraldine Norton, he recognized her; he had dreamt of her for years. They were married on June 25, 1949, and resided in Chicopee for many years before moving to South Hadley. He was a devoted husband who unselfishly loved and cared for his wife, in sickness and in health. He worked in the printing department at American Pad & Paper in Holyoke before he and his wife purchased Hitchcock Press in Holyoke in 1972, growing the company and eventually moving it to a new location. He was a skilled letterpress printer and a true craftsman. He never officially retired, and was involved in running the business into his 90s. He was a past president of the Springfield Club of Printing House Craftsmen and the Holyoke Lions Club, and was active in many civic organizations. He built his first home, a modest brick ranch and his first boat, a cabin cruiser. He enjoyed sailing, ballroom dancing, traveling, conversations with close friends and discussing politics. He will be deeply missed by his daughter Deanna Gaulin and her partner Michael Boisvere of Chicopee, and his son Gary Gaulin and his wife Laurie of Holyoke, his four grandchildren, Jennifer Santoni and her husband Matthew, Crystal Pares and her husband Joel, Nathan Gaulin Collette and Aaron Gaulin Collette and eight great-grandchildren: Xavier, Davien, Olivia, Joseph, Parker, Liliana, Ava and Silas. He leaves behind his siblings Gabrielle Boulanger, Luc Gaulin, Benoit Gaulin, Francoise Hallee, Robert Gaulin, Claude Gaulin, Jeanne Bergeron and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by his wife Geraldine in 2013 and his brother Andre Gaulin. In his memory, please play his favorite song “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong. There will be no calling hours and Beers & Story South Hadley Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit www.beersandstory.com for more information.