Ernest E. Gaudes

JEFFERSON – Ernest (Ernie) Edward Gaudes died Sunday, August 6, 2023, at Massachusetts General Hospital after a short illness with cancer. On October 25, 1950, Ernie was born and raised in Lawrence, Mass. He was the son of Ernest F. and Irene (Dube) Gaudes. He graduated from Lawrence High School and Northern Essex Community College. He received an associate degree, in Computer Programming, from NECC.

For many years Ernie worked as a Computer Programmer and loved that line of work. He was employed by Oerlikon Balzers in Hudson, NH and was lucky enough to travel to their headquarters in Liechtenstein. When he moved to Jefferson in 1991, he worked for James River/Crown Vantage in Berlin, NH. Ernie retired as a Senior Programmer Analyst from Littleton Coin Company, in 2015, after 17 years of service.

In his younger days he was a Boy Scout and ran track (hurdles) for Lawrence High. He was a member of the Minutemen Trail Riders-Enduro Circuit riding dirt bikes through the trails of Massachusetts.

Ernie was an outdoor enthusiast. He loved hiking, motorcycling, mountain biking, kayaking, camping, fishing, walking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and dog mushing. He was a Boy Scout Leader for Troop 219, in Lancaster, NH, for over 11 years. Ernie’s love of animals had him rescuing over 17 dogs (Alaskan Malamutes, Yorkshire Terriers and Mixed Breeds) over the years, while living in Jefferson. Later on in life, after age 60, Ernie’s love of music had him taking music lessons in various stringed instruments. He would practice at least an hour a day and his most favorite instrument to play was the violin. Ernie also loved to play cribbage and solitaire on his phone, and he absolutely loved to read. He was so close to finishing “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy.

Ernie is survived by his wife of 32 years and the love of his life Bobbie Gaudes, his beloved 4-legged friend Vivie, a sister Sheila Rueger and her husband Charles, a brother Edward Gaudes and his wife Frances. In addition to his wife and siblings, Ernie leaves behind his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Richard McAvoy and his wife Pamela, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends.

Memorial visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, August 29th from 4:00-6:00pm at the Bailey Funeral Home, Lancaster.

A Private Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 30th at 11:00AM at St. Francis Xavier Church in Groveton. Reverend Daniel Deveau will officiate.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to Riverside Rescue, 236 Riverside Ave., Lunenburg, VT 05906 or Troop 218-Jefferson, 10 Perry Road, Jefferson, NH 03583