John "Errol" Gautreau

John “Errol” Gautreau, a resident of Baton Rouge and a native of Gonzales, died on October 17, 2023, at the age of 85. He was born on  August 22, 1938, in Gonzales, moved to Duplessis with his parents in 1950  and worked in  their general store and post office until his graduation from LSU in 1960. He married his high school sweetheart, Karen Pitre in 1959. As he told her, "it was love at first sight'' and it lasted. He was a member of LSU ROTC {Lt. Col. Corp Staff), LSU pep band, marching band and symphony orchestra, and a wonderful clarinetist. Errol served in the Air Force from 1960 to 1963. He did post­graduate work at the ABA Graduate School at Northwestern University Chicago from 1969 to 1971. He was a Vice-President and Trust Officer of Louisiana National Bank {now Chase Bank) for 25 years, leaving the bank in 1988 to serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge until his retirement in 2003. After retirement, he served as a volunteer at the Louisiana Art and Science Museum for 14 years.

His charitable activities were many: The Jaycees, The Fish, United Way, Young Life, Westminster School, Catholic-Presbyterian  Apartments, First Call for Help, Amnesty International, Jesuit Nativity Schools and the Good Shepherd School in New Orleans, Manresa Retreat House, Acadian Memorial of St. Martinville and Catholic Charities of Baton Rouge (opened his home to adoptive children and refugees). In  fact, his home was a cozy refuge for many. He was an advocate for unborn children, poor children and employee rights. In addition to this hands-on work, he and Karen gave generously to many charities. He was the donor {anonymously) of two of the oak tree plaques at Manresa and worked to save the Evangeline Oak in St. Martinville. When at the Diocese, he had the privilege of serving the bishops, priests, nuns, and employees of the churches, schools, and central offices. He played an important role in updating the facilities of the Catholic Life Center, helping to make it the beautiful campus it is today. He was privileged to sign the 99-year lease between LSU and Christ the King Catholic Church and Student Center.

He was a lifelong Catholic and member of St. George Catholic Church from 1964 until his death, having served there in many capacities such as its first finance chairman and was especially proud of its youth ministry and youth house, which he helped Karen organize. He loved his hobbies; sailing, boomerangs, genealogy, the Acadians of Nova Scotia, astronomy, history, especially Catholic Church history, World War II airplanes, music, books, art, exercise, travel, retreats, hiking mountain trails, caring for his backyard birds, and relaxing at his second home on Pensacola Beach with Karen and the family. He loved to write "Fun With Astronomy" articles for the family and also had a lot of fun talking with his "boomerang buddies'' around the world. He had a never-ending fascination with the ongoing endeavors of his large family.

He was preceded in death by his parents Douglas and Seline Hebert Gautreau.

He is survived by his loving wife Karen and four daughters, Lisa Marie, Lori Ann, Jamie Patrice and Jill Denise and their husbands John McLean, Johnny McGregor, Craig Vanbiber and Kenneth Thaller; grandchildren and spouses, Tina McLean Moser and Charles, Jessie McLean Wittman and Tyler, John McLean and Victoria, Katie McLean, Maddie McLean, James Errol McLean, Sarah Vanbiber Yepishin and Sergei, Hannah Vanbiber Wagner and Ben, Garrett Keith and Mindi, Collette Keith Hinnenkamp and Andrew; great grandchildren Noah and Lydia Moser, Ambrose, Clement, Basil and Seline Wittman, Vivian, Alec and Serena McLean, Isaiah, Simon and Milana Yepishin, Quinn and Evangeline Keith, Andi Hinnenkamp, and Sienna Hinnekamp. He is also survived by sister Cynthia Decoteau and husband Wayne, sisters-in-law Deanie Pitre Bourque and Rena Pitre Sebastian.

He was extremely proud of his wife Karen, his daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and their spouses and loved them all so dearly. Finally, he loved the phrase "God willing, I'll see you on that distant shore". A loving  goodbye to our Husband, Dad and Grandad. We will see you there!!

A visitation will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 70816, on Friday, October 20, 2023, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. An additional visitation will be held at St. George Catholic Church, 7808 St. George Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809 on Saturday, October 21, 2023, beginning at 9:00 a.m. until the Mass of Chrisitan Burial at 11:00 a.m.