Joseph Nicholas Gayer

Wolfeboro - Joseph Nicholas Gayer, age 87, of Cotton Mountain Rd., died April 3, 2017 at Rochester Manor in Rochester, NH.   Joseph was born in East Chicago, IN, an only child and the son of the late Joseph Frank and Marie Helen (Miksich) Gayer.  He graduated from Bishop Knoll High School in Hammond, IN and went to work for 3 years at Youngstown Sheet and Tool, a steel mill.   From 1951 until 1955 he served his country in the United States Navy, and worked as an electrician's mate. He was assigned to the USS Cascade, a Navy Tender, during the Korean Conflict.   In 1958 he graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering and then worked for the Autonetics Division of Rockwell International, in Downey CA.  He worked on such projects as the Minuteman missile, the world's first fingerprint machine, the B1 bomber avionics test equipment, and the Space Shuttle engine controller test equipment.   In 1960 he married his "Tru-Love" Adrienne Janet Leclerc.   Joseph took early retirement in 1986 and moved to Wolfeboro. Through-out his life he was an avid painter, primarily in oils, and dabbled in other mediums such as watercolors.   He loved renovating the farmhouse, nature, riding his tractor, Paris, and a good cigar.   Survivors include his wife of 56 years Adrienne Gayer of Wolfeboro, 4 children; Michelle and her husband Brian Groves of Newberg, OR, David and his wife Pamela Gayer of Glastonbury, CT, Karen and her husband Steve Hammes of Milford, NH, Christopher Gayer of Woodburn, OR, 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.   The Baker-Gagne Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Wolfeboro is assisting the family with the arrangements.In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society.   Please share your messages and stories, leave a short note and sign an online guest book at www.baker-gagnefuneralhomes.com