Normand A. Gautreau Obituary (1925 - 2024)

Normand Alfred Gautreau, 99, passed away May 6, 2024 in Mission, Texas. Norm was the 6th of ten children born to Fred and Marie Rose (Cormier) Gautreau on March 2, 1925. He attended St. Jean Baptiste Catholic school in Lynn, MA for his elementary years. At 12 years old he went to study with the Marist Brothers at St. Joseph Juniorate in Tyngsboro, MA. After four years there he entered the seminary at St. Ann’s Hermitage Novitiate in Poughkeepsie, NY. He left the seminary in January and finished his last semester of high school back at St. Jean’s. In 1943, he entered military service joining the U.S. Army Air Forces. He served as a bombardier, navigator and aerial gunner for 2.5 years. After the service he attained a bachelor’s degree from Merrimack College. In 1949 he married Claire Lucille Saulnier. They had four children. He started his professional career with two of his brothers, Hervey and Arthur, as home builders. Gautreau Brothers Inc. was his business for many years. In 1966 he moved to McAllen, TX to start a new career in the insurance industry. After a few years he became a top producer and was inducted into the Five Million Dollar Round Table, a national award. Norm was an avid sports participant and fan. In furtherance of his patience he became owner of a racquetball facility, The Playhouse in McAllen, Texas. One of the greatest joys of his life was being a grandfather. He and Claire set aside every Saturday night for babysitting their grandchildren. The adventures that followed were legendary. After Claire died he married Irene Richards Chuldzinski. They were happily married until her passing in 2019. Norm is survived by his daughters Cindy Cain and Diane Donovan and his son Tom Gautreau. He was preceded in death by his son Bill Gautreau. He has five grandchildren: Sacha Wheeler, Josh Cain, Jake Gautreau, Jade Gautreau and Sam Gautreau. He also has six great grandchildren: Logan Cain, Hayden Wheeler, Brandon Cain, Claire Wheeler, Liam Gautreau and Weston Gautreau. A service celebrating his life will be held in the Houston area.