Norman Gautreau Bio

Norman Joseph Gautreau

Born on January 13, 1917, the third of four children to Joseph and Eva Gautreau of Lynn, Massachusetts, Norman started drawing when he was a young boy. One of his favorite pastimes was going to the movies after which he would return home and sketch his favorite scenes from the big screen.

Norman married Rose Mary Bernard of Chelsea, Massachusetts on August 31, 1940. They lived in Chelsea for the first few years of their marriage. During this time, their first two children were born: Norman George Gautreau, of Wakefield, Massachusetts and Joanne Mary (Gautreau) Gaffney, of Saugus, Massachusetts . On April 12, 1945, Norman went to Italy to serve his country during World War II; he returned a short time later when the war ended. In 1948, Norman and Rose had their third child, Janice Marie (Gautreau) Studebaker of Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1949, they moved to Fenno Street in Revere, Massachusetts where they had a house built. Shortly after the move, in 1950, their fourth and last child was born: Carol Ann (Gautreau) Bent of Beverly, Massachusetts. Since then, their family has grown to include in-laws, nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

His wife, Rose passed away in July, 2005, After her passing, Norman moved to Beverly to his granddaughter’s house to live with his granddaughter, his granddaughter's husband and their three children and also his daughter Carol and her husband Bill. It was a multi-generation household. During the two years he lived there, he spent much of his time painting.

Well known for his series of historic Revere paintings, hundreds of prints are owned and loved by many, particularly on the North Shore. The City of Revere has helped and encouraged Norman to continue to create Revere paintings for distribution with grants from the Massachusetts State Lottery Arts Commission.

A diverse artist, his creations portray many places and depict many scenes and events. His works include places such as: Switzerland, Canada, Italy, Egypt, India, Japan, etc.; sites, such as the Saugus Ironworks, Mt. Rushmore, Mt. Kiliminjaro, and events such as the Boston Marathon, the Chelsea Fire-1973, World Horseshoe Pitching Championship, Tall Ships in Boston, Babe Ruth shaking hands with Lou Gehrig after hitting #60, Ted Williams at Fenway, as well as some Movie Classics. He also did a painting of Cardinal Cushing which is in the Vatican.

Some of Norman's paintings have adorned the covers of Boston Publications. In 1965, his painting "Cyclone Roller Coaster-Revere Beach" appeared on the cover of the Boston Globe Magazine, and again in 1968, his painting "World Horseshoe Pitching Championship in Keene, NH appeared on the cover of the Boston Globe Magazine. In 1970, the Boston Herald published it's magazine section with the painting "Boston Bruins vs. Montreal Canadiens" as its center fold.

Norman has had exhibits at the State House in Boston, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard Medical Library, Boston College, Pacifico Gallery in Boston, and numerous Medical Centers, Church, Community Centers and Libraries in the Boston Metropolitan Area. He has also won many awards and ribbons, too numerous to mention, one being named Citizen of the Year in 1997 by the City of Revere. He also received a Commendation for Distinction from the City of Revere.