2008 Woodie Awards
Jesse Gamache's friends share memories
Sarah Kloepping
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Web Extras
Jesse Gamache was an only child, but he had brothers just the same.
Gamache, who died in a car accident on Jan. 9, is remembered by his friends as an easy-going guy who had your back.
Andy Fassbender, a UW-Whitewater sophomore, was one of Gamache's best friends since fourth grade, and his roommate this year.
"I've come to realize that I have been extremely blessed," Fassbender said in a eulogy for Gamache during his funeral service Jan. 13 at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Hubertus.
"Jesse was a brother to me and I thank God that I got to know an amazing guy like him for so many years. I know that when it comes time to go back to school, I'll walk in the door and I won't have that lovable guy with a smile sitting there, telling me jokes and laughing."
John Ketterer, a sophomore at Marian College, met Gamache when they were in sixth grade at Saint Huburt's Catholic School. They were inseparable from the start.
"I have so many good memories of him," Ketterer said during the service. "I will always remember the times that Jesse and I spent gawking at cars down on Highway 100, our countless trips to White Castle, and how he was practically a part of my family. He spent so much time at my house that we gave him his own parking space. Jesse was always there for me and me for him."
Because of the countless hours Gamache spent at Ketterer's house, Ketterer's brother Dan also came to know and love Gamache.
"[Jesse] treated me like a little brother," Dan Ketterer said. "He would pick on me; ask me questions about girls that I liked and things like that."
Dan Ketterer made a Facebook group honoring Gamache's life because of how well-liked Gamache was.
"He was such an outgoing and easygoing guy," he said. "I never would have guessed that there would be over 300 people [in the group] though."
Mark Herro, a sophomore at Marquette University and Chris Ward, a sophomore at Waukesha County Technical College, also meet Gamache in grade school. They were in the same fourth-grade class with Gamache and Fassbender.
"He was truly a friend who always had your back and who would do anything for you at the drop of a hat," Ward said. "Friends will always come and go, but brothers have a bond that lasts forever."
Gamache, who died in a car accident on Jan. 9, is remembered by his friends as an easy-going guy who had your back.
Andy Fassbender, a UW-Whitewater sophomore, was one of Gamache's best friends since fourth grade, and his roommate this year.
"I've come to realize that I have been extremely blessed," Fassbender said in a eulogy for Gamache during his funeral service Jan. 13 at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Hubertus.
"Jesse was a brother to me and I thank God that I got to know an amazing guy like him for so many years. I know that when it comes time to go back to school, I'll walk in the door and I won't have that lovable guy with a smile sitting there, telling me jokes and laughing."
John Ketterer, a sophomore at Marian College, met Gamache when they were in sixth grade at Saint Huburt's Catholic School. They were inseparable from the start.
"I have so many good memories of him," Ketterer said during the service. "I will always remember the times that Jesse and I spent gawking at cars down on Highway 100, our countless trips to White Castle, and how he was practically a part of my family. He spent so much time at my house that we gave him his own parking space. Jesse was always there for me and me for him."
Because of the countless hours Gamache spent at Ketterer's house, Ketterer's brother Dan also came to know and love Gamache.
"[Jesse] treated me like a little brother," Dan Ketterer said. "He would pick on me; ask me questions about girls that I liked and things like that."
Dan Ketterer made a Facebook group honoring Gamache's life because of how well-liked Gamache was.
"He was such an outgoing and easygoing guy," he said. "I never would have guessed that there would be over 300 people [in the group] though."
Mark Herro, a sophomore at Marquette University and Chris Ward, a sophomore at Waukesha County Technical College, also meet Gamache in grade school. They were in the same fourth-grade class with Gamache and Fassbender.
"He was truly a friend who always had your back and who would do anything for you at the drop of a hat," Ward said. "Friends will always come and go, but brothers have a bond that lasts forever."
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