John "Jack" F. Gaudet

Funeral Mass Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28XwWkkAdl8

John F. “Jack” Gaudet, 85, of Holtsville, formerly of Hauppauge, passed peacefully in his home on April 8, 2023.

Jack’s first and most important love was the family he raised with his loving wife, Marcia.  Marcia and Jack were married in Alhambra, CA in 1964 and had nearly 60 years of loving marriage.  Together they raised four children, Michele (Russell) Hiatt, Mark (Juvitza Alvarez), Matthew (Megan), & John Paul. He was adored by their 14 grandchildren: Brian, Lindsay, Faith, Katherine, Rosalie, Solomon, and Elijah Hiatt; Brian, Brandon, Devin, and Jayson Gaudet; and Gabrielle, Molly, and Eleanor Gaudet. 

Born in Jersey City, NJ, in 1937 to Catherine and Albert Gaudet, Jack grew up in New Rochelle, NY with his three younger brothers, Richard, Peter, and Bill. Jack attended Iona Prep High School and then Holy Cross College.  He served his country proudly as a Naval Officer from 1959 to 1969, first in the surface fleet and later in the submarine service, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Commander.  He then worked 32 years as a Operation Research Analyst for Grumman Corporation, retiring in 2000 as a Division Director. In retirement, Jack enjoyed playing softball, golfing, reading, visiting his grandchildren, and always remained a lifelong New York sports fan. 

Throughout his life, Jack answered God’s call to service in countless ways.  He was an active member of the St. Thomas More Catholic Parish for over 40 years. He was a baseball coach, a Eucharistic Minister to the parish and local hospital, and a trained spiritual director, offering retreats at the Cenacle Retreat House. He and Marcia were active in Marriage Encounter, serving on the national board, and led Engaged Encounter weekends for pre-Cana couples for many years.  Jack participated in a men’s prayer group with the Cursillo movement on Long Island for three decades and volunteered with the Handicapped Encounter Christ retreat community for 38 years.  He and Marcia were founding board members of L’Arche Long Island and helped to establish the organization’s first L.I. home. He will be deeply missed by his family and all of those he touched through these ministries. 

Services will be held at The Branch Funeral Home, 190 E. Main St., Smithtown, NY 11787. Visitation Wednesday, 2-4pm & 7-9pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, 10am at St. Thomas More Roman Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Calverton National Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to L’ARCHE LONG ISLAND, PO Box 354, Riverhead, NY 11901 www.larchelongisland.org