John F. Gawalt

Middletown, RI - John F. Gawalt, 74, of 1346 Green End Avenue, Middletown, RI, died Saturday, December 16, 2006 at Newport Hospital, Newport, RI. He was the beloved husband of Mary Ann Moschini Gawalt. Born in Boston, MA on Nov. 11, 1932, he was the son of the late John R. and Margaret Kutzur Gawalt and step son of the late Regina Chaloux Gawalt Mr. Gawalt was a Veteran of the US Navy, serving as a Senior Chief Petty Officer BTCS, retiring in August of 1973, after 23 years of service. His last duty station was at the Fleet Training Center, Newport, RI, where he served as an instructor. Mr. Gawalt began his career in the US Navy at the Recruit Training Command, Newport, RI, in April of 1951. He had served on board the USS Sigourney, USS Monssen, USS Grand Canyon, USS Norris, USS Yosemite Philadelphia Mothball Fleet, USS Pritchett, USS Saint Paul, and the USS Moale. During his career he was stationed in Charlestown, SC, Newport, RI, Philadelphia, PA, San Diego, CA, and several additional duty stations. While his assignments took him across the nation, he spent most of his career here in Newport. He was a Veteran of the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and participated in the naval blockade off Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Following his retirement, he worked for a short time in local businesses before taking a position at the NETC power plant where he worked until retiring in 1984. Mr. Gawalt graduated second in his class from Framingham Vocational High School, in Framingham, MA, Class of 1948. Mr. Gawalt shared his love for woodworking by volunteering his talents to benefit the Newport Navy Choristers, St. Lucy?s Parish, and St. Philomena School. Besides his wife he leaves two sons Paul D. Gawalt of Woodbridge, VA, John R. Gawalt and daughter in law Diane Linne von Berg Gawalt of Springfield, VA, four daughters Nina M. Smith and son in law Richard E. Smith of Portsmouth, RI, Angela M. Osborn and son in law Bret J. Osborn of San Clemente, CA, Marie L. Gawalt-Nunes and son in law Matthew T. Nunes of Newport, RI, Barbara E. Kaler and son in law Christopher Kaler of Sammamish, WA. He also leaves thirteen grandchildren, Brian C. Gawalt of Berkeley, CA, Eric M. Gawalt, David P. Gawalt, and John W. Gawalt all of Springfield, VA, Crystal E. Osborn and Mary Ann Osborn both of San Clemente, CA, Madison E. Nunes, Olivia M. Nunes, John T. Nunes, Tess A. Nunes, and Liza M. Nunes all of Newport, RI, and Nicholas N. Kaler and Joshua M. Kaler both of Sammamish, WA. Mr. Gawalt leaves two step grandchildren Alyson H. Smith of of Brooklyn, NY, and Matthew R. Smith of Cranston, RI. He is survived by his sisters and brothers Rose Burke of Enfield, NH, Gloria Chaloux of Lebanon, NH, Mary Taylor of Holliston, MA, Margaret Hardy of Framingham, MA, Jean Gawalt of Hilo, HI, and Gerard Gawalt, PhD of Springfield, VA. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 at 7:30 am from the Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:00am in St. Lucy?s Church 909 West Main Road Middletown. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be in St. Columba Cemetery in Middletown.Calling hours will be held Tuesday evening from 3-7 p.m. in the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Robert Potter League for Animals Oliphant Lane, P.O. Box 412, Newport, RI, 02840, or to St. Lucy?s Church, 909 West Main Road, Middletown, RI, 02842, or to the Charity of One?s Choice.