Mr. Andre E. Gagnon

Before I start, I would like to pass on a word of thanks.

In today’s world you always hear the negatives about people and organizations, and you rarely hear the good things. My family would like to take this opportunity to thank the incredible medical staff, of the general hospital’s ICU, for the care and compassion they showed to all of us but particularly to our father during his short stay.

André Eloi Gagnon was born to Ernest and Germaine Gagnon on December 1, 1936. His big brother Bernie was extremely happy to welcome his new sibling.

“Our father, who art in heaven…” now holds two meaningful places in our hearts. Our father Andy has spent the last 66 years growing as a person, meeting a wonderful partner named Jacqueline, getting married, starting a family and sharing his wisdom and time, and making sure that Rick, Niki and I stayed out of trouble…which I can attest was a feat in itself!

Today we gather to celebrate the life and share memories and joy that he brought to our lives on a daily basis.

Dad enjoyed many pastimes over the years. In the early day’s dad played hockey for the post office, Brewers retail and Crawley films. Later, with the help of his mechanic brother Bernie, he tried stock car racing at capital city speedway where he made his mark on racing by winning numerous times. Mom felt excluded from his extra curricular activities, so dad did what any good husband would do: he taught her how to race cars! And he must have been a darn good teacher because mom not only won races she even became the powder puff derby queen. Dad’s racing career ended when he was broadsided and sent to hospital. Most people would not have survived the accident but as many of us know dad was born with a hard head and he did recover. Dad was also an avid bowler, golfer and he enjoyed ice fishing with his brother’s family.

In 1967, dad started a career with Ryder truck. Once again, dad involved himself in sports, when he joined the company softball team. Rick and I vividly remember going to his games at Brewer Park. Dad was good at every sport he played and softball was no exception. Even when dad could no longer play his favorite sport, he would generously give his time to coach the Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa hockey team.

Rick, Niki and I spent the better part of our lives growing up on Eastvale Drive in Gloucester; mom and dad’s first house…and what a house it was. From the night that dad laid the sod…in the pouring rain…by lantern, to the garden that he built for mom, to the night he got back from a trip to Sudbury and returned with the pine trees and coolest looking pink boulders, to the kiddy pool that he set up for us each summer, to the ice rink he helped us build in the garden each winter, to the tunnels he helped us dig in the snow, to teaching us how to mow the lawn, to fix a car, to playing ‘pennies’ against the basement walls, to the time that Rick “borrowed” the car at the ripe old age of 15, to then teaching us how to drive a car, to lending us the car for grad night, to the support offered on our wedding days, to the birth of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the list goes on and on.

Life was always an adventure with dad because he was always spontaneous. As many of you were able to see in the photos at the funeral home, dad was a big part of our lives when it came time for vacations to places like, lake placid, old orchard beach, cape cod and the east coast just to name a few, he was always trying to give us an adventure.

The most difficult as well as the most joyful part of this past week, has been the nostalgic look back into dad’s life through photos. When we were going through the photo albums, the emotional roller coaster hit every peak and valley of our hearts and that is exactly what dad was all about.

Despite the fact that dad was so very ill, he still made the effort to attend his grandson Brandon’s hockey games every week, as well as many other family functions.

It wasn’t until recently that we realized just how many lives were touched by dad.

Rick, Niki and I have acquired a number of very important traits from our father, such as:

• ‘Not being able to say no’ to someone in need;

• Doing things for ourselves instead of relying on others;

• Thinking for ourselves;

• He taught us the difference between right and wrong and encouraged us to do right.

I’d like to finish with a short letter to dad.

Dear dad:

Thanks so much for everything you ever did for us, for every moment we were able to spend with you for the laughter and the tears, the joy and the sorrows. Thank you for helping us grow into the people we have become.

We know that the pain that we feel in our hearts today will finally be gone when we are reunited with you in god’s house. Say Hi to the family and save us a good seat at the table.

Thanks Dad.

Dad we love you and we will miss you.