Joshua J. Gauthier, 35, of Salem, MA passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2016. Joshua was born November 18, 1980 in Danvers, MA to Robin L. (Melanson) Berry and Stevan J. Gauthier. He grew up involved in the construction business with his family and enjoyed working different jobs as an adult in the field. Joshua will always be remembered as a loving person who had a heart of gold and would do anything to help others.
Joshua struggled with substance abuse for the past few years of his life. He experienced many periods of success during which he was fully himself; a caring, generous, and dedicated father. Ultimately he lost his battle and he is now another heartbreaking reminder of the growing heroin epidemic in this country.
He was a loving and devoted Dad who is survived by his three children; Sophia, Christian, and Camron. He also leaves behind two sisters; Jennifer Gauthier Romano and her husband John Romano Jr. of Beverly, MA, and Rachel Obremski of Beverly, MA, a niece Madison and nephew Brayden, as well as a large extended family including Nana Kathie Driscoll Gauthier of Salem, MA and aunts Pamela McElmon of Park City, UT and Paula Keene of Salem, MA. Joshua was predeceased by his newborn son, Stephen, his stepfather Stephen Berry of Peabody, MA and grandparents Robert and Dorothy Melanson of Byfield, MA and Robert and Alice Gauthier of Salem, MA.
Visiting hours will be held at the Murphy Funeral Home, 85 Federal Street (corner of North St.) Salem, MA on Sunday, April 17, 2016 from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, April 18, 2016 at St. James Church Salem, MA. Burial will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions towards the care of Joshua's children may be made payable to Joshua's Boys and sent to Marblehead Bank in Beverly, MA. For additional information or the online guestbook please call (978)744-0497 or visit www.MurphyFuneralHome.com.