Obituary of Georgio Gaudet

Georgio Gaudet, 82, of Fredericton, NB, passed away on September 11, 2022, after stoically battling cancer. He was the eldest of eight children, born to the late Louis and Alice (Gauvin) Gaudet on June 3, 1940. Georgio’s greatest joy was his family, for whom he would move heaven and earth. He will be sadly missed by his wife of 58 years, Rosella, his children; Micheline (Mike Joyce), Bertrand, and Monica (Andy Justason), and his grandchildren; Matthew, Danielle, Kody, Billy, Connor, Eve and Kat. Georgio loved his birthplace and family home in Memramcook where he spent time with his family. Georgio will be missed by his siblings; Helene (Bill Hacket), Alban (late Linda Leblanc), Donald (Ernestine Doucet), Carmelle (Renaud DeCamprieux), Yolande (Jean-Yves Loubert), Clement (Corrine Leblanc), Armand (Linda Vandette) and many beloved nieces and nephews. Georgio was a devoted public servant who had an extraordinary career, which began in 1964 as a social worker for the N.B. Department of Youth and Welfare. In 1968, he was an early member of the school of social work at his alma mater, the Université de Moncton. In 1973, he made his way to the Privy Council Office in Ottawa, subsequently holding senior positions within Health and Welfare Canada. His passions for both his home province and social policy brought him back to New Brunswick in 1977, where he became the youngest-ever deputy minister for the Department of Social Services. Georgio served as deputy minister for several other departments within the provincial government until he was called to the Premier’s office during Frank McKenna’s tenure from 1993 to 1998, which he considered the pinnacle of his career. After his public service, Georgio briefly worked with J.D. Irving Ltd. until he went back to his roots and led the Memramcook Institute. He also served on many boards, including the N.B. Environment Trust Fund, N.B. Capital Borrowing, N.B. Workers’ Compensation, U de M Board of Governors, Vanier Institute of the Family, N.B. Economic Council, Canadian Council of Social Development, and the Canadian Council on Children and Youth. As his very successful career demonstrates, Georgio loved his home province and was always trying to help improve the lives of every New Brunswicker. Dad/Georgio, will be deeply missed. He is part of the fabric of who we are and everything we do including our love for walks, gardening, working hard, loving fiercely, and helping those most vulnerable. As wise person recently said, “Georgio left big footprints in the sand”. A memorial mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish on Tuesday, October 11, at 12 noon after which a gathering will be held at McAdam's Funeral Home, 160 York Street, from 1:30PM to 3:30PM. Burial will be held in the Hermitage Cemetery at 4PM. For those unable to attend in person a live stream will be available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/757291570 A special thank you to Dr. Stéphane Paulin for the excellent care, compassion, and dignity he gave Georgio in the last year and his very last days and to the Hospice Fredericton team, who knew just what to say and do. We will be forever grateful. For those who wish to donate in Georgio’s memory, donations can be made to 12 Neighbours Community Inc. at www.mcadamsfh.com (a micro-home community and social enterprise centre that provides a safe space to heal, pursue opportunities and go after your best self).