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- [S5] Obituary.
Posted: Friday, April 18, 2008 Peninsula Clarion, Kenai, Alaska
Former Nikiski resident Clarence J. Gamache died Tuesday, April 15, 2008, at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage. He was 78.
A celebration of life will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Admiral's Place, 9350 Independence Drive in Anchorage.
Mr. Gamache was born Nov. 15, 1929, in Adams, Mass., to Nelson and Lydia May (Anthony) Gamache. After joining the Army Air Force in 1947, he was posted on Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage. He met Angelline Parent while they were working part-time at the Anchorage Roller Rink. After he was transferred to Westover Air Force Base, they married April 14, 1951, at Notre Dame Catholic Church in Adams. After being discharged as a sergeant, Clarence and Angelline returned to Alaska. The couple homestead and commercial salmon fished in Nikiski for several years before moving to Anchorage in the 1960s.
Upon returning to Anchorage, Clarence first worked at a gas station before beginning work for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, retiring in 1992 after 31 years of service. He also was commercial fisherman in the summers, eventually acquiring the F/V Raven, which he operated for many years.
"Clarence was an avid fan of the UAA Seawolves basketball team, rarely missing a game in the last 20 years. In retirement, he enjoyed working in his wood shop, building kayaks and model cars and family projects. Clarence loved beach combing and boating. He would jump at any chance to take a ride to the Kenai Peninsula, go fishing or clam digging and finding agates and other beach treasures. Dad taught us the importance of family, working hard and having a sense of adventure," his family said.
Mr. Gamache is survived by his wife of 57 years; brothers, Walter Gamache and his wife, Pat, of Soldotna and Norman Gamache of North Adams, Mass.; daughters, Nancy DePalma of Anchorage, Judy Winchester, and her husband, Jim, of Bend, Ore., Susan Gamache and her husband, Jim Fitzmaurice, of Anchorage; Margaret Nicolai, and her husband, Matthew, of Anchorage and Mary Chouinard, and her husband, Tom of Anchorage; son, Joseph Gamache, and his wife, Debraly of Anchorage; and grandchildren, David, Anya, and Eliana Nicolai, Christopher Chouinard and Connor, Claire and Caroline Gamache.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the UAA Sea Wolf Legacy Scholarship Endowment Fund in support of the men's basketball program, at UAA, 3211 Providence Drive, Anchorage AK 99508.
Arrangements were made by Kehl's Mortuary and Crematory.
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1929 - 2008 (78 years)
