Daniel Joseph Gauthier

It is with profound sadness that the family of Dan (Danny) Gauthier announce his passing on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the age of 59 years.

Dan will be lovingly remembered by his life partner of 18 years, Colleen.  He leaves behind a daughter, Shayann (Jay) and two grandchildren; sisters Anne, Mary and Michelle (David) and brother Jerry (Brian); numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and a large, beautiful circle of friends.

He was predeceased by his parents, John and Patricia; and his two brothers Jack and Michael.

Dan was born in Sault Ste. Marie, ON and lived there until his parents moved to Vernon, BC when he was twelve.  He had many stories of the journey, most notably sitting in a recliner in the back of the van and traveling across the country with his mom and older brother Jerry.  Dan spent his teenage years in Vernon and made many friends that lasted throughout his lifetime.  He moved to Victoria, BC in his twenties and expanded his social circle even more.   When Dan would recollect about his time in Victoria, he would always say “I bought a $10 bicycle and a $100 rainsuit”!   After several years, he moved to Calgary, AB in the early nineties.  Here, he continued to work as a plumber/pipefitter and then took the leap to attend SAIT and become a Process Piping Designer; a career in the Alberta oilpatch began.  He was a Quality Assurance/Quality Control consultant for many years working in various places in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

He met Colleen by chance in 2007 at a Chilliwack concert at the Deerfoot Casino in Calgary.  He said something profound and she was hooked.  Although, neither of them would ever remember what he said!  Dan moved with Colleen back to Vernon in 2010, and soon after the Friday Night Jams began for a group of friends who would become to be known as One-Eyed Jimmie.  Dan also took up golf and would host a yearly spring “friends” tournament at Hillview Golf Course.  In 2019, they returned to Alberta and Calgary.  Following some health issues, Dan started a YouTube Channel.  Dan’s Studio and Workshop was born, and he continued honing his craft of guitar repair and always ended his videos with his saying “I’m not all here, but I’m here all the time.”    It was the need for guitar strings that found Dan walking into a store in June 2024.  Upon leaving the Guitar Repair Shack that day, he landed himself a job and six months later he bought the store.  Dan had finally found his groove and happy place.  Dan had a lifelong love for anything to do with music and now he owned a store full of consignment guitars, parts and offering a repair service to fellow musicians.   He would always speak of his customers as “these are my people”.    His zest for life was unmatched. Dan was all in, all the time; always up for anything, at least once and loved family, friends and music.  He left an impact on anyone who met him and his hugs were infamous.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

The family wishes to send a special thank you to the first responders and the staff at the Foothills Medical Centre; especially the doctors and nurses in the Cardiovascular ICU for their care and compassion.

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