Emile Gastonguay was born in Lewistown, Maine in 1886. He received his education at a Jesuit Seminary in Quebec and electrical training from Charles Proteus Steinmetz in connection with General Electric Company in Schenectady, N.Y., obtaining an honorary degree as an electrical engineer.

In 1913, D.C. Jackling hired Gastonguay as chief electrician for the Alaska Gastineau Mine Co. which was under construction at Thane. Later he was put in charge of the Salmon Creek and Annex Creek power plants of the mine.

The Daily Alaska Empire (Juneau) reported the closing of the mine on June 3, 1921. Emile Gastonguay continued working as manager of the power company and over-saw the mining properties which were involved in a boundary dispute, which resulted in a lawsuit. While in the Juneau area, Mr. Gastonguay was active in the Juneau Chamber of Commerce, Elk’s Lodge, and was a 33rd degree Mason. He had an interest in some Chichagof Island gold mining development, but this venture did not do well. In 1929, he married his second wife and their two daughters Dianne and Louise were born in Juneau. The family moved from Thane to California in 1936.