Ronald J. Gauthier, 75

Ronald Joseph Gauthier, 75, of Bridgton and Wildwood, Fla., passed away Tuesday, March 4, 2014, after a recent diagnosis of cancer.

Mr. Gauthier was born Dec. 29, 1938, in Lynn, Mass., to Alfred and Rose Emma (Houle) Gauthier.

He was the proud owner of Highland Avenue Sunoco in Salem, Mass., for 30 years, and served as Vice President of the Independent Garage Owners of America. After an early retirement, he began Lyk Nu Golf Cars in Bridgton for 20 years, spending many happy days repairing golf carts. He always had a plan for the repair, and enjoyed sharing his plans, along with a few stories, with folks dropping off their carts. He loved to golf and was a member of the Bridgton, Point Sebago and Continental Country Clubs. He took his family camping in the 60s at Vicki Lin campground on Long Lake in Bridgton, before building his first summer home in Bridgton on Kansas Road.

Ron and his wife Arlene moved from Beverly, Mass., to Bridgton in 1986. They enjoyed snowmobiling with the Easy Riders Snowmobile Club. Ron had been a stock car driver in the 60s and loved attending stock car races. He also enjoyed learning to fly a small plan. One of Ron's greatest prides was taking care of his property, especially mowing his lawn on his favorite tractor. The perfect end to his day in Maine was a late lunch at Ricky's Diner, share in good food and conversation with friends.

He was predeceased by his brother Alfred Gauthier; his daughter Janyce Burnham; and his granddaughter Jessica Pappas.

Survivors include his loving wife of 57 years, Arlene; daughters, Judith Huntress and her husband John of Bridgton, Jayne Pappas and her husband Lee of Waterford, and son-in-law Michael Burnham of Dixfield; sisters, Ann Leclair and her husband Robert of Danvers, Mass., Lucille Litman and her husband Philip of Bridgton, and Jane Cox and her husband Ronald of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; brother, Robert Gauthier of Bridgton; six grandchildren, Jacob and Johanna Huntress of Bridgton, Melissa, Jasmine and Dillon Burnham of Dixfield, and Charles Pappas of Waterford; six great-grandchildren, Briggs, Ginger, Noah, Allie, Scarlet and Jade.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to Harvest Hills Animal Shelter, 1389 Bridgton Rd., Fryeburg, ME 04037. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.bankspagetheus.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Banks/Page-Theus Funerals and Cremations, Wildwood, Fla.