Michael George Gautraud's Obituary
Michael G. Gautraud, age 83, passed away Monday, April 9, 2012, at his home surrounded by his family. Mike was born April 19, 1928. He was a husband, father, provider, grand and great-grandfather, inventor, sailor and Christian. An ex-New Yorker (City) who found a bit of heaven here in Muskegon. He leaves his loving wife of 65 years, Ann Riley Gautraud, 9 children, Richard (Peg) Gautraud of California, KY, Michael J. Gautraud, Patricia (Dennis) Quinn, Peter (Joy) Gautraud, Margaret (John) Urban of Arlington Hts., IL, Kathleen (Craig) Singer of Atlanta, GA, Ann Pierce, Robert (Kim) Gautraud and Daniel Gautraud of Milwaukee, WI. Son Peter preceded him in death in 2001 and son Michael J. in 2007. He counts 31 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Survived by his sister, Catherine Gravel of Kings Park, NY. He took great pride in providing for a college education for all nine of his children and to finance a substantial share of the college costs of his grandchildren. He never stopped “providing”. He graduated as a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from the recently renamed, Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn (now known as Polytechnic Institute of New York), working full time, attending nights, while providing at the time, for a family of seven children. He graduated (after nine years of night school) at age 30, with cum laude honors. He holds multiple patents for bowling equipment, not least of which are Brunswick’s Automatic Pinsetter, synthetic lane and automatic scorer. Working during the 50’s for Huck Company, a New York City based machine design consultancy, he played a major role in the design of Brunswick’s Automatic Pinsetter. He was most proud of the extraordinary life he helped design into that product. Most all of the 80,000 machines, built in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s, are still in operation today. Brunswick hired their consultant and brought him to Muskegon at age 33, as Chief Engineer, to work on other bowling products. Even today, there are few if any products in a modern bowling center, that weren’t designed by him or under his leadership. He was a life member of the Muskegon Yacht Club, sailing his boat Full House, with a passion, competitively, ever since the 60’s with his family as crew. They were the proud winners of many sailing events, but most notably the Midwest Regatta, 210 class, in 1969 and the Small Boat Division, Governors Cup in 1986 with his wife and their youngest son, Dan. He gave back to the sport he loved so much, by volunteering as Race Committee for dozens of major regattas, until his health prevented it. He was very active in his church, (Sacred Heart Catholic Church). He was one of the first Lay Readers, taught high school CCD (Christian Doctrine), pre-Cana (preparation for marriage) and served on the church council. He is now a member of St. James Catholic Church in Montague. His participation in the Cursillo movement in the 60’s profoundly influenced his Christian beliefs for the rest of his life. He worked tirelessly for the movement for years. He quietly and generously provided substantial financial support to unconventional Christians here in Western Michigan, that find Christ in every man. His anti-war stance was severely tested in the 70’s as he refused a work reassignment to design war weapons. Brunswick respected his deep held beliefs, but nevertheless transferred him away from Muskegon, to the McGregor Golf Division in Chicago. His expertise in Bowling equipment brought him back to Muskegon in the 80’s to rescue a failing synthetic lane design effort. He retired from Brunswick in 1991. His son, Michael J. Was injured in 1988, from a near fatal auto accident. He and his wife dedicated their early retirement years to managing his care in their home. Those efforts added dozens of quality years to Michael J’s life. For those 20 years, they did what he believed God intended them to do. The MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held Friday, April 13, 2012, 11:00 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church, 5179 Dowling St., Montague. VISITATION will be Thursday 4-8 p.m. at The Walburn Chapel,1547 W. Sherman Blvd.,(231) 759-8565. He will be laid to rest in Mount Calvary Cemetery, Montague. In lieu of flowers, donations to Father Jack Foundation, 525 S. Lake St., Whitehall, MI 49461. He commented frequently that the headstone for his grave should read: “wait ‘til I finish my beer”.
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