John Gaudinier, 90, flew home to his Creator on Aug. 8, 2011, after battling cancer for nearly four years. He was born in White Plains, N.Y., on June 12, 1921 to Morris and Mary Gaudinier, the first of three boys.

After high school, he earned his private pilot’s license. He was drafted into the Army Air Corps during World War II and flew B-17s out of Glatton, England, on combat missions over Germany. On his 17th mission, he was shot down over Berlin and taken POW for one year until the war’s end. He then was released from the Army Air Corps (by then, the U.S. Air Force), but was recalled to fly in the Berlin Airlift.

He made a career of the Air Force, during which time he and his family lived many places, including Europe. He earned many letters of commendation during his career, and among other things was involved with the communications equipment used in the Mercury space program. He retired in 1965, and then had a second career with King County, serving as deputy assessor under Harley Hoppe, before retiring permanently in 1983.

John loved spending time with his family. In addition to loving airplanes, John was an organic gardener and grew beautiful flowers and delicious vegetables. He was a photographer with a perfect eye and timing for a photograph. He also developed his own pictures, enjoying the creative process of finding the perfect light. Among his other favorite pastimes was to take a day to go fishing. He was a passionate reader and loved nothing more than sharing that love of reading, which infected first his daughter and subsequently her children.

He and his family lived in Seattle for over 40 years. He and his wife then moved to Whidbey Island to live with his son Mark when they became too frail to live in their own home.

John is survived by his four children: Laurin Gaudinier of Seattle, Robert Gaudinier of Portland, Ore., Lynne Gaudinier of Portland, and Mark Gaudinier of Coupeville. One brother also survives him. His wife of 60 years, Esther, preceded him in death in 2010.

A memorial service for

John will be held at The Shelter at Admiral’s Cove on Whidbey Island on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 2:30 p.m. Arrangements are entrusted to Burley Funeral Chapel where friends may go online at www.burleyfuneralchapel.com to sign a guest book and leave memories for the family.