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George Gaughran

On March 27, 2024, George Joseph Gaughran, 86, a longtime resident of Guilford, passed away surrounded by his loving family. George Gaughran was born in Middletown, New York, on Aug. 16, 1937, son of the late George and Alice Condon Gaughran. He was the beloved husband of Kathleen Pisarra-Gaughran and the loving father of Stephanie Gaughran-Moscato and her husband Angelo of Guilford and Julie Gaughran-Etes and her husband Stephen of Guilford. He is also survived by treasured grandchildren Nicholas Moscato, AJ Moscato, Audra Etes, and Stephen Etes, all from Guilford. George was a devoted brother of Joan Radecki of East Northport, New York. He was fortunate to have had many lifelong meaningful relationships with extended family. He was predeceased by his sister, Mary Lou Burns of Tulsa, Oklahoma.

George was a 1955 graduate of St. Mary’s High School, Rutherford, New Jersey. A natural athlete, he played football, basketball, and, of course, baseball, his favorite sport. On athletic scholarship, he entered Saint Peter’s University in Jersey City, New Jersey, graduating in 1959 with a B.S. in business administration. Among his best memories were lettering in golf, baseball, and basketball and participating in the 1958 NIT Tournament. George and Kay met following a series of curious circumstances that led to a blind date in 1958. They became engaged in 1959 and married in 1960. They were gifted with more than 63 years of life to share.

George honorably served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1966. He was commissioned in 1960 and received his Wings of Gold in 1961. He flew the reconnaissance F8 Crusader during the Cold War and over Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He enjoyed recounting tales of his time spent on both the USS Enterprise and USS Saratoga aircraft carriers. He retired as a Lieutenant. His love of airplanes and flying led him to join American Airlines in 1966. He retired in 1997 as a Captain. He led a flight crew and ground crew, which worked as an efficient, strong team. Some flight crews called him Captain “Donut” because of the treats he brought for each flight. The ground crew competed for George’s infamous “pushback evaluations” that he would post on his cockpit window before each takeoff!

He valued the meaning of HONOR greatly as it related to his family, his country, and himself. He enjoyed family times, attending his grandchildren’s sporting events; fly fishing summers in Montana; PB&J; driving Miss Daisy, a.k.a. his wife, Kay; reading military history and political thrillers; his work with the local American Legion; vanilla milkshakes; visiting local business owners in Guilford, and moments at the marina. You knew you were special to him if he gave you a “zinger,” as he loved to joke.

Gratitude to all the staff at The Guilford House for their loving and professional care! Thanks also to The CT Hospice nurses for their reassurance. George valued his life and battled his illness with strength. May he rest in peace and know he will forever be in our hearts!

Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Memorial, which will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in gratitude to the wonderful Guilford EMTs for their faithful and experienced service over the past three years. Donations can be made to the Guilford Fire Department, 390 Church Street, Guilford, CT 06437. Arrangements care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.