Stanley Thomas Gauthier, 90, of Florence, rejoined the love of his life, Elinor, on Friday, June 27, 2008, at Heaven's Gate. They had been together for 66 years before she went on ahead, June 28, 2004, to prepare their eternal home. Stanley was born in Commonwealth, Wis., on Dec. 1, 1917, to Henry and Cassie (Jones) Gauthier. He was the eldest son of 11 children that included three brothers and seven sisters. Throughout his life, they were always there for one another. Stanley had the value of hard work instilled in him at a very young age. His secondary schooling ended with the 10th grade when he felt it necessary to help full time on the family farm. He was proud of the work that he did as a young man in the Civilian Conservation Corps. While attending vocational training in Marinette, Wis., he met and fell in love with Elinor Martha O'Claire. Debunking superstition, they married on Friday the 13 in October, 1938. Stanley and Elinor's many blessings included four children. They lovingly raised their family of three sons and a daughter in the Green Bay area, but kept close ties throughout the years with the Florence community. At the age of 62, Stanley retired and it became their permanent home. Stanley continued to self-educate himself his entire life. He had a never ending thirst for knowledge. If he had a question, he didn't give up until he had an answer. As the years passed, he had many more answers than questions. Stanley possessed a master's degree in life. Stanley was always willing to share what he had learned. He was fondly nicknamed "The Wizard" because others thought he knew so much about a wide variety of subjects. He liked nothing better than to engage in a good debate on any subject. Family, friends, and even strangers referred by them, sought his advice on everything from the fishing and hunting report, to his weather prediction, to how to fix a pump or how to drive a sandpoint, to gardening. His garage door was always open to anyone who needed to borrow anything or needed a hand with a project. Stanley had the ability to "witch water" and any skepticism could be waylaid with countless examples of his skill around Lake Emily and Keyes Lake area. Stanley was well known for his picturesque garden (known as "The Give Away Garden"). People enjoyed just to look at it. In recent years, it seemed to be the barometer by which Stanley measured his capability, giving it an even greater importance. His son, Ken worked side by side with him on "The Ponderosa" to enable Stanley to maintain his own high standards. Ken will continue to tend and harvest the garden this season in his family's memory. In the four years following Elinor's passing, Stanley stayed strong and courageously lived his life as fully as fate allowed. He conquered many challenges with grit and sheer determination. He always strived to make her and his family proud. Words cannot express his success at that endeavor. Stanley is survived by his children, Art Gauthier, Ken Gauthier and Gail Busch; daughter-in-law, Judy Gauthier; son-in-law, Jerry Busch; honorary children in Stanley's heart, Ken's soulmate, Denise Morelli (son, Jimmy) and Steve Blank; very special friends, Carole and Bernie Englebert; nine grandchildren, Jeff Gauthier (Maggie O'Donnell), Mike Gauthier (Denise). Mark Gauthier (Debbie), Jennifer Gauthier, Brenda Busch (fiance, Todd Santoro), Patrick Gauthier (Anissa), Jill Lawrence (Brendan), Amy Duprey (Don), Brent Busch (Lori), and 13 great-grandchildren, Sarah, Stephanie, Collin, Brett, Hayden, Alexis, Jacob, Jonathon, Katie, Ellie, Javon, Alyiah, and Jessica; his brother, Earl Gauthier (Arlene); three sisters, Genevieve Kozicki, Jean Trinka (special friend, Al Pietila) and Shirley Maurina (Al); brother-in-law, Virden Hartman (Alice); sister-in-law, Geraldine Gauthier; and many nieces and nephews who counted on him to be the family historian. As well as Elinor and his parents, Stanley was preceded in death by his eldest son, Jerome Gauthier, a daughter-in-law, Carol Gauthier, an infant granddaughter, Deborah Gauthier and an infant great-granddaughter, Hana Busch, his brothers, Floyd Gauthier (Ceil), Clifford Gauthier, sisters, Bernice Novak (Tony), Maxine Hartman, Alvira Nowak (Dan), Geraldine Bettini (John), brothers-in-law, Walter Koski, Lornie Kozicki, Norman Trinka, Elinor's parents, Jack and Josephine O'Claire and her brothers, John (Agnes), Francis and Donald. In accordance with his wishes, Stanley will be cremated and there will be no visitation. A graveside service will be held on July 19, 2008, at 11:30 a.m. at St. Mary's Cemetery on Cemetery Road east of CR-N and Old CR-N. A remembering/sharing time will follow at the church. The love of family is a blessing, but the love of friends who love you like family is priceless. Stanley's greatest legacy will be that he lived his life in a way that attracted so very many of that type of friend. Thank you all for the gift. You know who you are.