LeRoy D. Gaudreault

LeRoy D. Gaudreault, age 96 of Cozad, passed away November 3, 2014 at Golden Living Center in Cozad. LeRoy was born September 27, 1918 to Alcide and Aura (Demars) Gaudreault in Farnam, Nebraska. He attended school at Farnam and Cozad. In 1936, he began collecting metal, rubber tires, cars, bones, old mattresses and other odds and ends to open a salvage yard. The salvage yard was located on at 4th and A in Cozad, and later moved to North Meridian and was called Frenchy's Auto Parts and Supply. LeRoy left his new found profession during WWII when he went to Omaha, Nebraska and then to Baltimore, Maryland to build Martin Bombers. While in Baltimore, he met Caroline Galusky. He and Caroline were married in October of 1942. The couple was blessed with 7 children, LeRoy, Jr., Cathy, Pat, Sid, Tim, Mike and Lorraine. When the war ended, LeRoy and Caroline returned to Cozad to take over his salvage operation. LeRoy retired from the salvage business in 1976, and it was taken over by his sons Pat, Tim, Sid and Mike. Caroline passed away in 1978. LeRoy married Esther Phillips. LeRoy was instrumental with the start of Christ The King Catholic Church in Cozad and a proud member of The Knights of Colombus. He was a founding member of the Goldenrod Antique Car Club, and helped set up the Cozad Grand Generation Center. He enjoyed many Sunday afternoons traveling the back roads with his family looking for Model A and T parts and restoring old cars. LeRoy cherished time spent with family and friends and telling others about the health benefits of green tea, garlic and wearing a hat, especially wearing a stocking hat to bed. LeRoy was preceded in death by his parents; 2 wives, Caroline and Esther; son LeRoy Jr.; 2 great grandchildren, John and Carly; sister Vivian Stokes; step-daughter, Marie and step-son-in-law, Fred Evans. He is lovingly survived by sons Pat (Chris) Gaudreault of Cozad, Sid (Rhonda) Gaudreault of Cozad, Tim (Selena) Gaudreault of Cozad, Mike (Jody) Gaudreault of Eustis; daughters Cathy Gaudreault of Cozad and Lorraine Gaudreault (Donna Bertran) of Cozad; daughter in law, Betty Gaudreault of Cozad; step-daughter, Nancy Evans of KS and step-son, Jim (Nancy) Phillips of Omaha;15 grandchildren, Aaron, Ryan, Chad, Ben, Tammy, Suzzette, Eva, Natasha, Robyn, Amanda, Caroline, Candi, Cassie, Cristi and Cassi; many great grandchildren; 3 brother-in-laws; 2 sister-in-laws; and many other relatives and friends. Memorials are suggested to the family. Online condolences may be shared at berrymanfuneralhome.com. Mass of the Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Christ The King Catholic Church in Cozad with Father Don O'Brien as celebrant. A Rosary will be recited at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be at the Cozad Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Berryman Funeral Home in Cozad, which is in charge of arrangements.