Gilman N. Gauvin

Gilman Gauvin hailed from “the county” – Aroostook County in Maine. He was a learned man and he never stopped learning - not only scholastics, but in his hobbies of woodworking and computer programming. Gilman “Gil” N. Gauvin had hospice at home and passed away March 23rd from ALS. He was 77 years old and had his loving family around him at his death.

Gilman was born in Van Buren, Maine, 1947 to his late parents Hector and Gladys Gauvin. He was one of six children. He graduated from Presque Isle High School in 1966. He started his post-secondary education at University of Maine-Orono until 1968 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. After six years of service, Gilman was honorably discharged in 1974. After that, he finished his degree at University of Maine at Presque Isle receiving a Bachelor of Arts in History. Gilman continued to pursue his education at the University of Maine-School of Law in Portland to receive his Juris Doctorate in the spring of 1979. While attending law school he met his future wife, Connie Osier, while both were working part-time at the Jolly Roger seafood restaurant. They were married in 1980 in his hometown.

Gilman started his career in Presque Isle as an attorney for Flora and Canders, Attorneys at Law. He and Connie decided to move to Florida after their honeymoon there. Gilman commenced on a new career in the banking system as a Corporate Trust Officer. After having their two children, his career path (and a heartfelt draw back to New England) led him to work in Hartford, CT. They made another start raising their family in Bristol, while Gilman traveled between New York, NY, Boston, MA and Hartford. He remained there until he retired.

Gilman and Connie have two wonderful daughters, Nicole Marie and Erin Elizabeth. Both are married, giving Gilman his two “sons.” Nicole is married to Tom LeBeau, from Bristol, CT, and they gave Gilman two grandchildren, Christian (10) and Elena (8). Erin is married to Miles Cedric Shaw of Bloomfield, CT. Bruno, a rescue dog, joined Gil’s family in January 2024 and “rescued” them with his comforting presence. This nuclear, loving family brought great joy and entertainment to Gilman. The grandchildren, especially, enjoyed the playscape that their “Grampie” built for them.

Gilman had always enjoyed running – for exercise as well as just a way to relax. He took it to a new level when he proudly ran the Hartford Marathon in 1999. Woodworking and remodeling his home was also a passion of Gilman’s. Every home they lived in – even the one year spent in an apartment on Stanley Street in New Britain – was improved with Gilman’s fine woodworking hobby. Building a deck, remodeling a room, renovating the kitchen – customizing it for them as he and Connie both enjoyed cooking. One artful and lasting gift was creating for his wife a large pergola for her roses to grow on - paved beneath for all her potted plants and space to relax. He also crafted pairs of Adirondack chairs for relaxing in under their maple tree; several times a week he and Connie would spend an hour or two sipping a beer, philosophizing and arguing about life on a warm summer day.

Gilman was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother-in-law –Thomas Goode. He is survived by all of his immediate siblings and their families living in Maine. Delcia (Gauvin) Goode, her three children, five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, Raynold Gauvin and wife, Sandra, their two children and one grandson, Diane (Gauvin) and husband Tom Tilley, Gary Gauvin and wife, Pamela, their two children and six grandchildren, and Lisa (Gauvin) and husband, Joseph Coppolino, and her son.

Donations to ALS United, CT in memory of Gilman would be greatly appreciated. They were quick to supply the equipment Gil and Connie needed as well as informing them of the disease itself.

A memorial service followed by military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025 at the Plantsville Funeral Home, 975 S. Main St., Plantsville. Calling hours will be held prior to the service from 12 noon – 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.