Geoffroy Raphael Gournet, devoted husband, father, grandfather, and master engraver, passed away on March 15, 2025 at the age of 65. Born in Rethel, France, to Claude and Michele Gournet, Geoffroy spent his early years in the French Ardennes before moving to Reims, where he met his beloved wife of 39 years, Virginie. Together, they built a beautiful life with their children, Quentin and Flore, and later, his treasured granddaughter, Margot. Geoffroy found joy in life’s simple pleasures—riding his bicycle on sunny afternoons, birdwatching, playing the guitar, reading, and sharing laughter with family and friends. He was an active member of the Parker Association and cherished his close friendships, particularly with his lifelong best friend and brother-in-law, Vincent Boiret.
A European-trained master engraver, Geoffroy studied in Liège, Belgium, and Gardone Val Trompia, Italy, under renowned masters such as Ceasare Giovanelli and Gianfranco Pedersoli. His dedication and natural talent set him apart, leading him to move to the United States in 1985. He became the sole engraver for Parker Reproduction, where he created exquisite one-of-a-kind pieces for the A1 Special shotguns. Since 2002, he worked exclusively with private clients, engraving fine shotguns, knives, and jewelry.
Geoffroy is predeceased by his parents and survived by his loving wife, Virginie; son, Quentin; daughter, Flore, and her husband, Kier Stenger; and his adored granddaughter, Margot.
His talent, warmth, and laughter will be deeply missed, but his artistry and spirit will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
A calling period will be held from 4 to 5:30 PM Tuesday (March 25) in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. A reception to celebrate Geoffroy’s life will follow at 6:15 PM (location details will be available at the funeral home). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Community Bike Works at www.communitybikeworks.org or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude.org, organizations dear to Geoffroy’s heart. Online condolences may be offered at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Miriam & Mike
March 18, 2025 at 8:24 pm
Virginie,
Mike and I are heartbroken for you and your family. May Geoffrey rest in peace and may you find comfort in the days ahead.
With love!
Mike & Miriam
Suzannah Nolt
March 18, 2025 at 10:56 pm
Dear Virginie,
Thinking of you and your loved ones during this difficult time. May you find strength and peace in your memories of Geoffroy and in each other.
Love you,
Suzannah
Kamal bouaddi
March 19, 2025 at 10:00 am
Bonjour ma sœur virgine Nous sommes tristes de quitter votre mari, je lui souhaite le bonheur et la joie, Dieu veut, et nous sommes avec vous dans de bons et de mauvais moments
Tony and Liz Rubino
March 19, 2025 at 10:26 am
Dear Virginie,
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Love,
Tony and Liz
Sylvain ROCHE
March 19, 2025 at 11:23 am
Ninie,
C’est avec grande tristesse que nous avons appris la terrible nouvelle.
Nous pensons fort à toi et ta petite famille dans ce douloureux moment.
Que Geoffroy repose en paix auprès des siens.
Le quatuor qui vous embrasse chaleureusement
Keavin and Pam Nelson
March 19, 2025 at 12:00 pm
Virginie,
Our sincere condolences for you and the family’s loss of Geoffroy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the coming days and wish you peace.
RIP Geoffroy
Keavin & Pam
Famille Jaffar- Boiret
March 19, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Ma chère Virginie , on ne trouve pas toujours les mots qu’il faut face une tel situation ! Sache que nous sommes très chagrinés .Nous garderons le souvenir d’un homme qui était un artiste , aimant la nature et d’une grande simplicité !Nous t’adressons toutes nos condoléances à Toi , tes enfants Flore et Quentin et la petite Margot! Famille Jaffar-Boiret
Sara Gump
March 19, 2025 at 5:44 pm
Oh Virginia!
I am so shocked and so terribly saddened! I can not even imagine how you and your wonderful family are feeling now!!
Will I get to see you at some point?? Let me know if there is anything we can do – hugs and tears- Sara and Chris
Jerry Stultz
March 19, 2025 at 6:41 pm
I’m so sorry to learn of Geoffroys passing. A kind soul, who performed very nice work on the Parkers He engraved. He will be missed
Robert & Dorothy Lippincott
March 19, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Virginie,
Our sincere condolences on your loss. Geoffroy was a true master of his craft, and we both enjoyed knowing him. Working together was always interesting, educational, and fun. We miss him very much.
Dorothy and Bob
J-P Daeschler
March 20, 2025 at 5:15 am
We are shocked to hear this sad news. Our deepest sympathies to the whole family and our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Geoffroy will be greatly missed by the gun and engraving community, we always looked forward to seeing you both at The Southern every year.
Zoe & Jean-Pierre
Crétin jean-Hugues
March 20, 2025 at 6:26 am
Geoffroy je me souviendrai toujours de nos longues discussions au sujet des casques à pointe. Moi j’étais en fas dentaire et toi tu es parti pour la Belgique t’essayer à la gravure sur arme. Tu m’as offert ta première gravure. Un aigle impérial sur une dague Empire. Et depuis notre amitié est restée entre nous comme celle de deux frères. Aussi aujourd’hui je soufre mais je te souhaite milles étoile pour ton sourire permanent. Repose en paix. Virginie tu aura toujours un ami ici à Pévy. Et par le cœur je t’accompagne dans ta douleur. Amen !
VINCENT BOIRET
March 20, 2025 at 6:36 am
It is with great sadness that I pay tribute to you today. You left too soon, taking a part of my heart with you.
We met in France over forty years ago. Your travelling spirit took us far beyond borders. Together, we shared so many roads and landscapes, whether by bike, on foot or by car. Each adventure was a moment of complicity and freedom, a breath of life that carried us ever further.
I remember our bike rides along the Canal du Midi, lulled by the murmur of the water and the majestic plane trees. From the Trans-Ardennes to the paths of Burgundy, via the Atlantic coast, we covered miles and miles, savouring every moment and every landscape.
How could we forget our crossing of France in 2004, that crazy adventure to get to Uzès, or that incredible Odyssey across the United States, from Easton to Las Vegas, swallowing up the American roads with the same insatiable enthusiasm? Our wheels also treaded the paths of the Parc linéaire du P’tit train du Nord in Canada, where the wilderness enveloped us in its grandiose beauty.
So many memories, so many smiles shared on the road. So many dreams evoked and precious moments ‘engraved’ forever in my memory.
Today, I feel an immense emptiness, but I treasure these memories as a precious legacy of our complicity. Thank you for all those unique moments, for your energy, your smile and your passion for life.
Rest in peace, my brother. You will always be in my heart and in my thoughts, an adventurous companion and a lifelong friend.
W Mark Hall
March 20, 2025 at 9:29 am
Virginie and Family,
We are so saddened to hear of your great loss. Geoffery was a great man who shared his many gifts of life. Our deepest sympathies and condolences to you each as you move through the days ahead in life’s journey without Geoffery. I met many times at the Southern Side by Side events and have owned several of his Parker Reproduction A1 Special shotguns and cherish the engraving he did for Tom Skuese.
May Geoffery rest in peace and leave amazing passing memories of laughter, love and life in you each.
With our deepest sympathies,
The Hall Family
Christine Forte
March 21, 2025 at 11:41 am
Dear Virginie,
It has been about thirty years since my then-husband, Michel Bloch, and I met you and Geoff, when we were living in Flemington, N.J. . Michel was so delighted to befriend other compatriots. I was thrilled to make friends with such a lively, enthusiastic couple. We moved back to the west coast and the years have rolled on. I am happy to hear about the lovely family the two of you created and that Geoff, such a gentle and talented man, was recognized for his wonderful engraving skills. I remember you as this lovely, laughing girl who loved her husband so much. I am so sorry that he is gone. My heart goes out to you.
Chris Forte
Eric and Susan Mangler
March 22, 2025 at 7:25 am
Geoffroy’s passing has left us heartbroken. He was a man of sophistication and warmth, grounded in the simple pleasures of life—his family, his artistry, his love of nature, and his many friends. We will miss his grace and wit, his friendship. We extend our deepest condolences to his beloved family. May God comfort Virginie, Quentin, Flore, and Geoffroy’s extended family in the coming days. Requiescat in pace.
Barbara Nyholm
March 22, 2025 at 5:47 pm
Dear Virginie,
What terribly sad news to hear that Geoffroy is no longer with us. My deepest condolences to you and your family. Even though I have’t seen Geoffroy—or you—in years, I still remember him as a warm, friendly and most gracious gentleman. He will be missed.
JohnC
March 24, 2025 at 10:28 pm
In one of my gun books Geoffroy was identified as the engraver who a Winchester 94 which was given to President Ronald Reagan after his retirement. The Reagan family and the Gournet family both share this special achievement.
May they both rest in peace.
Toni and Bud Nealy
March 25, 2025 at 12:47 pm
Bud and I are shocked and so, so sorry to learn of Geoffroy’s death. He was a “one of a kind “ human,
highly talented and creative, a loving husband and father. We shared with Geoffroy our very first trip to Paris which included missing the last metro on a Saturday night and walking miles to our hotel! We’ve shared many wonderful meals with all the Gournet’s and his death leaves a big hole in our world.
Sanzogni Renato e Margherita
March 30, 2025 at 11:15 am
Cara Virginie,
Abbiamo appreso oggi della mancanza di Geoffroy, siamo profondamente dispiaciuti, ti siamo vicini.
Un caloroso abbraccio,
Renato, Margherita e famiglia.