John Raymond Gamache, 47, of New Bedford died Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003, at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, after a long battle with cancer. He was the beloved husband of Mary Elizabeth (Sullivan) Gamache and the father of John Jacob, Benjamin and Elizabeth. The son of Amy and Raymond Gamache, he was born and raised in New Bedford and was a lifelong resident of the city. He was a communicant of St. Julie Billiart Church in North Dartmouth.
He graduated from Bishop Stang High School, was a graduate of Boston University, and received a Masters in Business Administration degree from George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Gamache was a Certified Public Accountant and a founding partner in the accounting firm of Petitti, Eisenberg and Gamache, P.C., now Tofias, P.C. He was a member of the Massachusetts Society of C.P.A.'s and the American Institute of C.P.A.'s.
In 1996, the New Bedford Chamber of Commerce recognized him as a Person the Year in Small Business. He was a member of the New Bedford Waterfront Historic Area League (W.H.A.L.E.) and served as its President from 1993 to 1997. In May, 2002, Mr. Gamache was honored by W.H.A.L.E. for revitalizing the organization and for his inspiration and leadership during his tenure. As W.H.A.L.E. President, he was instrumental in the establishment of the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park in 1996.
He was an avid runner and bicyclist, competing in numerous New Bedford Half Marathons, and also completed the Boston Marathon. During his five and half year battle with cancer, he rode in 3 Pan Mass Challenge 200-mile bike rides from Sturbridge to Provincetown, raising thousands of dollars for cancer research at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, where he was a patient.
In addition to his widow and children and his parents, survivors include a brother David "D.J." Gamache and his wife Leslie of New Bedford; three sisters, Joanne Cabral and her husband Stephen of North Dartmouth, Jane Filipek and her husband David of New Bedford, and Lori Pettengill and her husband Alden of South Dartmouth; and 18 nieces and nephews.
He will be remembered as a devoted husband and father, for his love of family and friends, commitment to his profession and community, his determination and courage, and for his ability to bring laughter to all those around him.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life and Mass of Christian Burial in St. Julie Billiart Church, 494 Slocum Rd., North Dartmouth, Monday, November 17th at 10 AM.
Visiting hours at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford, Sunday, November 16th from 3-8 PM.
Interment St. Mary's Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Patient Assistance Endowment Fund, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney St., Boston, MA 02125.