Sources |
- [S5] Obituary.
Peninsula Clarion, The (Kenai, AK) - Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Deceased Name: Walter Nelson Gamache
Longtime Soldotna resident Walter Nelson Gamache died Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, at Central Peninsula Hospital in Soldotna with his family by his side. He was 82.
A private family viewing was held Monday, Feb. 9, at Peninsula Memorial Chapel in Kenai. His cremated remains will be scattered at a later date.
Mr. Gamache was born July 18, 1926, to Nelson and Lydia Gamache in Adams, Mass. He attended grade school up until the sixth grade then entered into the U.S. Marine Corps from 1941 to 1943. He moved to Alaska in 1961 first living in Anchorage for a year, then moving to Soldotna. He started his own business in Soldotna called Ridgeway Body and Fender until he semi-retired and sold his business. He worked part time as a security guard for Guardian Security until he retired in 1998. He was a lifetime member of the VFW and attended Birchwood Community Church in Soldotna.
"Walter drove stock cars in New York before coming to Alaska. He raced at Decanter. Walter loved snowmachining, hunting and fishing. He will be missed by everyone as he was always there when needed. Walter always put his family first. He also went to and sponsored his children and grandchildren in the Rodeo; he hardly missed going to watch them," his family said.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Clarence Gamache; and grandson, Jasper Randall Walter Gamache.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Patricia A. Gamache of Soldotna; daughters, Robin Grandchamp and her husband, Robert, of North Adams, Mass., Kimberly J. Johnson and JoAnn M. McWhorterm, both of Soldotna, and Linda Gamache of California; son, Ronald Gamache and his wife, Jean, of East Greenbush, N.Y.; brother, Norman Johnson of North Adams; grandsons, Rocky Johnson, Travis Johnson, Derick McKenzie and Dalton McWhorter, all of Soldotna, Robert Grandchamp of North Adams and Brian, Eric, Mathew, Adam, Tim and Stephan Gamache, all of East Greenbush; granddaughters, Pamela Grandchamp of Boston, Tia Johnson of Mt. Vernon, Wash., Ciarra McKenzie of Soldotna and Tiffany Gamache of East Greenbush; seven great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family suggets memorial donations be made in memory of Walter to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75231.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapels.
|