Obituary of Gaston Robert Desnoyers

Gaston Robert Desnoyers ("Gas") of Osprey Village, Amelia Island, Florida, passed away on August 16th 2014 at the age of 91 after a long and bravely fought battle with cancer. Gaston was born in on November 4th, 1922 in Watchung, New Jersey. He was the oldest son of Martha and Albert Henry Desnoyers. Gaston graduated from Mount St. Joseph Select School (1936), North Plainfield High School (1940), and was awarded a full scholarship to Cornell University School of Engineering from which he graduated in 1944. A member of the ROTC at Cornell, he served in the U.S. Army in Adak, Alaska and was honorably discharged as a Captain in 1946. He was employed from 1946 to 1982 by Standard Oil Development Co. which became Exxon and is now Exxon Mobile Engineering and Research Co. He soon distinguished himself as a Senior Engineering Associate and eventually became Chief Project Manager for numerous Exxon projects throughout Europe and South America. He married his wife, Helen Thelma Langfinger, on May 3, 1947. They had four children and when not living in Europe, they resided in Plainfield NJ, then Basking Ridge NJ, Palm Coast FL, Old Forge NY, and, most recently, Amelia Island FL. Gaston was a loving father and a loyal friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, golfing, gardening, playing ice hockey, fishing, and DIY projects at home. Generous beyond measure, Gaston contributed big-heartedly to his favorite charities. Gaston was a communicant of Saint James Catholic Church in Basking Ridge for over forty years. Most recently, he was a member of Saint Michael's Catholic Church in Fernandina Beach FL. Predeceased by his wife Helen, of sixty years (2007) brother Paul (2004) and sister Henrietta (1972), he is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, six great grandchildren and brother Albert. To those who knew him, Gaston was the embodiment of moral and physical strength, imbued with wisdom, modesty, and a loving, kind, and generous nature. The family will receive family and friends at the Galloway and Crane Funeral Home, 101 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ from 5PM until 7PM on Friday August 22nd. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Sat. August 23rd at 10PM at Saint James Catholic Church, 184 S. Finley Ave., Basking Ridge, NJ. At a later date, Wednesday, August 27th, a memorial mass will be celebrated at 11AM at Saint Michael's Church in Fernandina Beach FL. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the charity of your choice or the following organizations where Gaston was an active donor: The Boys and Girls Clubs of Nassau County Foundation, P.O. Box 16003, Fernandina Beach FL 32035, Saint Michael's Catholic Church, 505 Broom St. Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.