Wellington Families Remember Three Loved Ones Lost Too Soon

Growing up in Wellington, I truly learned what it means to live in a small town. It's a great place with great residents, some of whom were lost too soon.

The book is called "The Three Sparks- Connections, Community, Commitment," and it tells the story of Wellington Middle School teacher and wrestling coach Bob Drysdale, 14-year-old Nick Gaucer, and his father, Paul Gaucher.

Bob Drysdale

Mr. Drysdale was my science teacher and a beloved one at that. I remember finding out he had died; it was my first real experience with death. One day I saw him at school, and the next day he was gone.

Bob Drysdale was killed in an automobile accident in 1999. Leaving behind his wife Cindy and their children, the death of Bob Drysdale left a hole in the community. 

I spoke with his widow, Cindy, who told me, "Bob was the kind of person everyone who knew him was lucky enough to call a friend. He was the life of every gathering, with a heart of gold that never hesitated to help anyone in need."

Nick Gaucher

Fourteen-year-old Nick Gaucher passed away after a long battle with cancer. Leaving behind his parents and sister, Whitney. I spoke with Whitney, and this is what she had to say about her brother.

"Hearing the words you have cancer are words you never imagine hearing in your lifetime. My brother was given his cancer diagnosis at the age of ten and began his treatment on his eleventh birthday. Fast forward to April 19th, 2005, just three years later, he took his final breath after a long, brave battle. My world stopped that day, and little did I know the impact my brother had on so many people, especially in the Wellington community."

Paul Gaucher

Just seven years later, the family was hit with another gutting tragedy when the patriarch of the family was killed in a dirt bike accident while camping. How does one family carry on with so much grief?

Here's what Whitney had to say about her Dad.

"The loss was unimaginable, and I wasn't sure how life could be so cruel. My father was a firefighter with PFA, and that community felt the heavy loss of one of their own. One of their brothers. It's been fourteen years since my father passed and twenty-one since my brother and I find ourselves continually thinking about the two and what life would be like if they were still here."

You can purchase the book Three Sparks starting today on Amazon, and you can also visit www.threesparksatruestory.com to read more about these three Wellington residents who will forever be missed.