John Alfred Gustafson, 87, of Foster slipped quietly into Heaven on October 23rd. He was the beloved husband of Phyllis (Auclair) Gustafson. They would have been married 49 years this December.
John graduated from Aldrich High School, Warwick (class of 1955). He was nine years in the Air National Guard working as a mechanic on airplanes. He enrolled in an apprentice program and became a tool engineer and tool designer for Leesona Corporation, followed by becoming manager of the Tool Room at Brown & Sharpe, EG &G Sealol and Levetin. He was a lifetime member of the Moosup Valley Volunteer Fire Dept. of Foster, Past President and Treasurer of Young At Heart Seniors of Foster, President and Treasurer of the Natick Seniors Bowling League in West Warwick and enjoyed monthly get together with the Aldrich Boys. John was a jack of all trades, he could fix anything on the cars, remodeled the kitchen, kept the property in A-1 condition and raised Hereford cows as pets. He attended plays and loved music, bowling, hunting, fishing, taking cruises and most of all, he loved his family and all his friends. He loved animals and his dog Toby will miss him very much.
He was born in Providence to the late Carl and Anna (Gustafson) Gustafson. He leaves a son Eric Gustafson from North Scituate, a daughter Sharon (Gustafson) Matson and her husband John from Warwick and a son Todd Gustafson and his partner, Diane from Warwick. John also leaves his stepchildren Christian Pichie from Florida and Bethany (Pichie) Cargill and her husband Michael from New Hampshire. He was the grandfather of seven and had two great-grandchildren. He leaves his brother-in-law Raymond Leonhardt and three nephews from Maine. John was pre-deceased by his sister, Shirley (Gustafson) Leonhardt.
Visiting hours will be held at the IANNOTI Funeral Home, 415 Washington Street, (Original Location/RTE 117), Coventry, from 9:00am to 10:30am on Friday, October 28th, followed with a service at 10:30am in the funeral home. Burial will be at Pawtuxet Memorial Park Cemetery, 100 Harrison Avenue, Warwick.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be sent to the Foster Ambulance Corp. or the Moosup Valley Volunteer Fire Department of Foster. www.iannottifh.com
