At 94, Deacon Gaspard “Gus” L. has spent over two-thirds of his life—65 years—living out the mission of Catholic Financial Life and is part of five generations of involvement in Catholic Financial Life. A member since 1961, Gus has been the steady heartbeat behind the all men’s Chapter N304—Waterbury, Connecticut, for the past several decades, serving in key leadership roles, including president and currently secretary-treasurer.

What began as a part-time role as an insurance agent soon became a lifelong calling. Gus joined at the encouragement of his late wife of 51 years, Denise, whose late mother, Marie, was a founding member of Waterbury’s all-women Chapter N149.

“I insured a lot of people, and it felt good,” he says. “It was not only a job. It was like a hobby.”

Catholic Financial Life quickly became a second home for him. The high school business teacher of 32 years and, at one point, department chair, also served for 28 years on the board of directors of a society that later merged into Catholic Financial Life. But Gus’ heart is not in titles. It is in serving his community and family.

Chapter N304 became a true family affair. After Gus stepped back from the presidency, his son Philip took over leadership of the chapter, serving until his death in 2020. Gus’ son David later served as membership coordinator, continuing the family’s dedication until his passing in 2023. Today, Gus’ nephew, Daniel, serves as president of Chapter N304, and Gus’ daughter, Michele, remains active in Chapter N149.

The family’s legacy now stretches to four granddaughters and one grandson, as well as four great-granddaughters and one great-grandson. All are insured through Catholic Financial Life.

Under Gus’ leadership, Chapter N304 became known for its support of the Shrine of St. Anne, where he has served as a deacon for 46 years. Annual traditions like celebrating the Feast of St. John the Baptist included electing an honorary French Mayor for the Day, city hall ceremonies, flag raisings and fundraising dinners benefiting the church. The chapter also rallied members to fund critical repairs to the century-old church building, from refinishing floors to restoring decorative windows.

“We are very proud of our chapter’s efforts to preserve this beautiful, sacred space for future generations,” he says.

Today, though active participation in his chapter has declined, Gus’ hope has not. With more than 300 members on record, he is determined that Chapter N304 will endure.

For Gus, leadership has always meant stewardship of faith, family and community. Thanks to the generations who follow him, his chapter’s story of what it will become is still being written.

Photo: Deacon Gus, far right, with his sons and grandson at a 2013 Pawtucket Red Sox game