Gregory Gau Obituary

On Feb. 3, 2022, Gregory David Gau, 67, lost a three-year battle with cancer. With his wife, Judy, family and friends by his side, he was set free from his pain and greeted by all the angels of heaven as witnessed through the beautiful display of northern lights the morning he passed. Greg's cancer diagnosis in January 2019 was his second bout with cancer. Cancer brought challenges but Greg did not allow that to slow his life down, he continued doing all the things he loved doing and lived life to the fullest right up until the end.

Born on June 11, 1954, in Woodland, California, Greg moved to Alaska in 1966 when his father took a job at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He attended Main Jr. High School on Cushman Street for three years and then Lathrop High School for three years. "The only thing I learned was how to roll a joint," is what Greg said about his days at Lathrop. After high school, Greg moved to Manley Hot Springs in the spring of 1971, where he learned how to be a gold miner.

In 1975, Greg joined the Operating Engineers, Local 302, to work on the pipeline, then subsequently went to work on the Slope. He became one of the best fleet maintenance service oilers that the Fairbanks union hall had to offer for over 30 years. He worked until 1986 when the oil business in Alaska crashed. Soon after, he went into gold mining and road construction. Mining for gold was something he enjoyed the most and did on and off his entire life but road construction provided him with a way to make money.

As a young boy, trapping became a way to make way to make money when a neighbor in Hamilton Acres taught him how to trap squirrels. Greg became a master trapper, honing his craft by trapping for lynx, marten, wolf, beaver and wolverines. In January of 2022, after decades of fur trapping, Greg's health forced him to pull his traps for the last time.

In 1979 Greg's son, Michael, was born and Greg embraced fatherhood with pride. Showing and teaching Michael his love for trapping and mining was important to him so much of Michael's childhood was spent at Greg's side, absorbing all his knowledge. Frequently taking Michael out on the land gave Greg ample amounts of time to teach him about the local geology and geography as well as making sure Michael understood the importance of living a subsistence lifestyle, a lifestyle Greg robustly lived and valued.

In May 2012 Greg married his friend and soulmate, Judy Ellen, and together they began a lifetime of adventures. He loved that she had similar interests because that allowed them to completely enjoy doing things together. Days for Judy and Greg were filled with trips that brought them across the United States, but it was the times they were out on the land, trapping, hunting, fishing and traveling in the boat or by snow machine that were the most meaningful to them. Delaney, Greg's granddaughter brought yet another opportunity for him to teach another young person all the important life lessons he had taught his son, Michael. The bond they shared was unbreakable and it was something Greg cherished. As a family, they built a cabin at fish camp, along the Yukon River, downriver from Tanana.

Greg may have been "gruff" and ornery but he had a heart of gold and would welcome travelers into their home, whether it be in Tanana, in Manley or at fish camp, by offering them a meal or something to drink. If you were smart enough to call ahead to let him know you were coming his way, you got a special meal that he planned. He loved to share his cooking and frequently cooked for community dinners, covered dish events and potlatches. He wanted his granddaughter, Delaney, to share is love for good food so he would often bring meals home to cook that would offer a chance to explore something new. Together, they would plan, cook and eat different things. They especially loved lobster tail.

As Greg's cancer progressed and his ability to walk through the woods became difficult, he would bring a few young men with him to help while, in turn, showing them trapping and hunting skills and passing his knowledge on. Those that went out with him gained valuable knowledge but also enjoyed that time because Greg knew how to take care of people. He'd make sure he had good things to eat while out hunting or trapping and offered it to anyone who was there. An avid outdoorsman, Greg enjoyed every season and looked forward to preparing for fall moose hunting, spring bird hunting, winter's trapping season, a summer filled with fishing along the Yukon River and logging. As a highly organized person, there was no detail left unchecked. Greg made sure everything was taken care of.

His final years were spent living out his life his way, not a life dictated by cancer. With Judy by his side, Greg was able to continue enjoying the things he held close to his heart: trapping, fishing, traveling and being with friends and family. During the fall of 2021 he was able to go hunting in the Novi; friends and family made sure that he went. After getting his second cancer diagnosis, Greg made a list of things he wanted to accomplish before cancer took him. He was so passionate about achieving his goals and making sure that everyone who was close to him was taken care of, he lived much longer than he was told he would and did so much more than what was on his list of things. Greg loved to dance to live rock and roll music, especially at the dances in Tanana. In 2019, when diagnosed with cancer, one of the things on the 'to do' list was to make it long enough to dance on New Year's Eve in Tanana. Greg got to do that. He also wanted to be able to continue trapping so he could provide Judy with enough fur for her sewing. As a community, we all got extra time to get to know the real Greg. The Greg who loved life and held people close to him. The Greg who had a witty sense of humor and the down to earth wholesomeness that made you realize what a genuine person he was. The humble yet steadfast Greg who fought with courage until the very end and went with dignity and grace, surrounded by loved ones.

Greg was proceeded in death by his father, Aloys Maynard Gau; son, Michael Lawrence Gau; special auntie and godmother, Rosie Gau; and cousin, Steve Gau.

Greg is survived by his wife, Judy Gau; stepdaughters, Corina and Stacy Moore; grandkids, Juwan, Shawna, Anthony, Leanne, Aaron; special granddaughter Delaneyl; mother, Sandra Burrell; stepfather Don Ruskauf; younger sisters Linda Travis, Terri Gau, Nicole Gau; niece, Terralynn Hermann; cousins, Micki Smith, Patrice Gau, Collette Gau, Tom Gau, Tim Coyle; and many nieces and nephews who all affectionately called him Uncle Greg.

A remembrance and celebration of life is planned for June 11 at 10 a.m. in Manley Hot Springs. After the service in Manley, Greg's ashes will be brought over the road to Tanana, to his final resting place on Mission Hill overlooking the Yukon River. The service and burial will be followed by a community cover dish and music by the Tanana Band.

To those who came to Manley and Tanana to help care for Greg during his final days, we will never forget the sacrifices you made to be here for us also a big thank you to the ones who came to play pinochle right up until he couldn't hold the cards anymore. The family would also like to express sincere gratitude to the doctors and staff at the Michael Jay Carole Cancer Center for the compassionate care you gave Greg to ensure that his remaining time was as peaceful as possible.

Anna'bassee.