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Frederick J Gauvreau
Point Harbor – Frederick J Gauvreau, 86, passed away on July 15, 2026, close to 18 months after the loss of the love of his life and wife Helen Gauvreau. They were both predeceased by their beloved daughter, Laury Gauvreau, Fred’s sister Florence, and their parents.
Fred was born in Washington DC, to Edward and May Gauvreau. He grew up in Montgomery County, Maryland, alongside two sisters Florence and Christina. After graduating from high school in 1957, Fred attended George Washington University enjoying active membership in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity and participating in the United States Air Force ROTC. Upon graduation, he continued his education and graduated with a master’s degree in electrical engineering and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. This service to his country led him to the National Security Agency (NSA) where he met the love of his life Helen Louise Lee.
Fred and Helen married on May 21, 1966 and built their life together in Montgomery County, Maryland, where they devoted themselves to raising their four children: Charlene (Char) Louise Gauvreau, Loretta (Laury) Julia Gauvreau, Edward (Ed) Lee Gauvreau and Pamela (Pam) May Gauvreau Bass. Fred’s greatest joys were his faith, family, country, cars and model trains.
After years in different positions throughout the defense communications industry, Fred retired. In retirement, Fred and Helen built their dream home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, a place they lovingly referred to as their “heaven on earth.” Fred was not done working and found a new passion driving a school bus for Dare County Public Schools. He enjoyed the community interaction, schedule and watching the kids grow and graduate.
Fred and Helen’s love and devotion extended beyond their children to their six cherished grandchildren: Matthew (Matt) Gauvreau (23), Julia Bass (21), Madeline (Maddy) Bass (19), Amelia Bass (17), Cassidy Gauvreau (17), and Adrin Bass (14).
Fred is survived by Daughter Char Gauvreau of Grandy, North Carolina; Son Ed, his wife Maureen Gauvreau and their two children (Matt and Cassidy) of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Daughter Pam, her husband Greyson Blair Bass and their four children (Julia, Maddy, Amelia and Adrin) of Spotsylvania, Virginia; Sister Christina Langley, husband RJ of Woburn, Massachusetts.
Fred will be laid to rest at Darnestown Presbyterian Church Cemetery, beside his wife Helen and daughter Laury. Services will be at Pumphrey’s Colonial Funeral Home, 300 W. Montgomery Ave, Rockville, Maryland on Thursday, July 30th at 1pm followed by graveside service at Darnestown Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers it is requested to donate in Fred’s name to the Outer Banks Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund.
Please share expressions of sympathy via the online register at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services was entrusted with local arrangements.
Condolences
Charlene, Ed, and Pam, I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. I hope each of you finds comfort in your own cherished memories of him and strength in the love and support of those around you. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, and wishing you peace and comfort in the days ahead. With deepest sympathy, Lisa
My sympathies to the family on the sudden loss of your loved one. It is hard to believe that I was sitting next to Fred at Simply Southern Restaurant just a few Thursday nights before he received the news, and all seemed well. And then he was gone. In a way it's a blessing not to suffer and go through chemo and radiation. He never complained of pain and showed up for choir practice on Wednesday and choir on Sunday. This may not be the time and place but since you are in MD, email me if I can help you with the sale of the house here, I am a broker with Beach Realty in Kitty Hawk and was friends with Helen and Fred for years. I especially miss sweet Helen and am truly sorry for the loss of both of them in such a short time.
Char, I'm so very sorry about your father's passing. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you. With deepest sympathy, Janice
Fred was an outstanding bus driver who built wonderful relationships with his students and with the school community. I truly enjoyed working with him over the years. My deepest condolences to the family. David Twiddy, Retired Transportation Director, Dare County Schools
I came to know Fred well as a member of the OBX Presbyterian Church “Grief Support Group”, came to love and respect him! Prayers for his and Helen’s entire family as they mourn his loss!
Jeff & I had the delight of knowing Fred & Helen during their years living on the OBX. Jeff did a major remodel to their house, during which we enjoyed getting together often especially when Helen's dad, Jesse, was a truly dear friend to Jeff's Mom, Blanche. One time while having dinner at Jesse's house, I was sitting next to Fred & for the first time in our friendship we discovered we both worked for MITRE during the same time frame. I set up speakers that Fred and other top officials in our corporation invited to speak at our offices in McLean. We had both stepped away from work life and found it such fun to discuss those years at MITRE. I remember the pride with which Fred showed us his set up of trains and memorabilia at their OBX house. Both Fred & Helen were kind, generous, gracious people. May their legacy and years of special memories encourage their surviving family & friends. Diane & Jeff
Charlene, Ed, and Pam,
I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. Please accept my heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. I hope each of you finds comfort in your own cherished memories of him and strength in the love and support of those around you.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, and wishing you peace and comfort in the days ahead.
With deepest sympathy,
Lisa
My sympathies to the family on the sudden loss of your loved one. It is hard to believe that I was sitting next to Fred at Simply Southern Restaurant just a few Thursday nights before he received the news, and all seemed well. And then he was gone. In a way it’s a blessing not to suffer and go through chemo and radiation. He never complained of pain and showed up for choir practice on Wednesday and choir on Sunday. This may not be the time and place but since you are in MD, email me if I can help you with the sale of the house here, I am
a broker with Beach Realty in Kitty Hawk and was friends with Helen and Fred for years. I especially miss sweet Helen and am truly sorry for the loss of both of them in such a short time.
Char,
I’m so very sorry about your father’s passing. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you.
With deepest sympathy,
Janice
Fred was an outstanding bus driver who built wonderful relationships with his students and with the school community. I truly enjoyed working with him over the years. My deepest condolences to the family.
David Twiddy, Retired Transportation Director, Dare County Schools
I came to know Fred well as a member of the OBX Presbyterian Church “Grief Support Group”, came to love and respect him! Prayers for his and Helen’s entire family as they mourn his loss!
Jeff & I had the delight of knowing Fred & Helen during their years living on the OBX. Jeff did a major remodel to their house, during which we enjoyed getting together often especially when Helen’s dad, Jesse, was a truly dear friend to Jeff’s Mom, Blanche. One time while having dinner at Jesse’s house, I was sitting next to Fred & for the first time in our friendship we discovered we both worked for MITRE during the same time frame. I set up speakers that Fred and other top officials in our corporation invited to speak at our offices in McLean. We had both stepped away from work life and found it such fun to discuss those years at MITRE. I remember the pride with which Fred showed us his set up of trains and memorabilia at their OBX house. Both Fred & Helen were kind, generous, gracious people. May their legacy and years of special memories encourage their surviving family & friends. Diane & Jeff