Angus "Gus" Roy Fagan

Surrounded by the unwavering presence of his family, Angus Roy Fagan passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at the age of 83 years in Calgary, Alberta. Born in St. John’s, Newfoundland to Will & Gladys (Chafe) Fagan on September 13, 1942, “Gus” was the 6th of 12 surviving children. He grew up in a small 3-bedroom rowhouse filled to the brim with laughter, love and of course, mischief, where non-stop matches of street hockey, baseball and games of all sorts would ensue all along the neighbourhood of Campbell Ave.

Angus left Newfoundland at the age of 18, but the heart and spirit of Newfoundland never left him. He dedicated 4 devoted, prayerful years with the Catholic priesthood Oblates of Ottawa. He often said those formative years, rooted in prayer and service to others, shaped him profoundly and prepared him for the many blessings that followed throughout his life. In the fall of 1966, Gus’ adventurous spirit carried him further west to Alberta, where one of his greatest blessings awaited him – meeting his beautiful wife, Monique (Foo Lan Seong) Foofat. Two islanders far from the comfort of distant families – Monique from tropical Mauritius Island – connected in Cluny, Alberta, a tiny, secluded village. Gus and Monique shared a special love story that most can only aspire to. Always together & happiest in each other’s company, Gus was forever finding ways to make Monique laugh with his constant joking and playful antics. Gus was often found in the kitchen stealing hugs and quick “smooches” as her loyal, if less skilled, sous chef and enthusiastic taste tester. After many decades of practice, he proudly earned the promotion to become her chief roti and wonton fryer! For 58 years, their cooking sessions enjoyed inevitable pauses for dancing and laughing around the kitchen when a favourite song began to play.

Gus began his career with the Alberta Wheat Pool and steadily rose through the ranks to upper management with hard work and his remarkable people skills; his employees referring to him as the best ‘boss’ they’d ever had, even changing the trajectory of lives with his encouraging, heartfelt talks. With the company, Gus and family moved to several small Alberta towns, including Cluny, Brooks, High Prairie, Strathmore, and High River. Throughout the moves, the Fagans still enjoyed their cottage on Siksika Golf Course as a home base. In each new community, Gus quickly became involved in every sport, activity, club and coaching opportunity that arose, contributing and building life-long friendships everywhere he went. In 1993, Gus retired to the dream home he and Monique built on a golf course in High River – a loving home where regular, exuberant group-grandchildren sleepovers occurred. In the winters, Gus and Monique travelled south to their Arizona home where they enjoyed a vibrant community of friends for 15 years. Together, they travelled to many distant countries throughout their retirement.

Gus was a natural at sports and loved the social nature of being with others on a team; often winning races, tournament MVP awards, scoring titles, and “longest drive” competitions. At age 57, Gus took up running. He ran 10 marathons, highlighted by running the New York marathon alongside his son Cory, as well as the Boston Marathon twice, with family cheering him on. Gus won his age category in his final 5k race at the age of 80 years.

Though small in stature, Gus was a true giant of a man! Gus truly was an inspirational, positive, life force! He was always the life of any party and lit up every room he entered. Regular pep-talks with Gus left his loved ones feeling like they were the most wonderful, valued people on the planet. Gus especially loved spending time with ALL children. Just follow the sound of giggling children at a party, and there would be Gus/Poppy with throngs of children flopped atop him, “wrastling”, trying to desperately pin him down before he could take his “magic pill” to turn on his super-strength! Gus loved to play, REALLY whole-heartedly play and spend quality time with kids.

We can now envision Angus in heaven getting a good street hockey game going with his pre-deceased brothers Gerry (Gertie), Don, Bill (Trudy), Bas (Linda), Pat (Sandra) & Kevin. As well, teasing, laughing and cuddling with his sisters Jane (Ed) & Maureen. Gus is survived by 3 much loved, younger siblings; his brother Ray (Goldie) and sisters, Mary (George) and Terry. He is survived by his wife, Monique, and his children, Kim (Keith), Cory (Seabird) and Joan (Graham). Each of his kids thought of him as their best friend and spent the last years greatly missing his constant, reassuring words as his memory and abilities faded away so quickly. Poppy’s ‘pride and joy’ grandchildren, Breanna (Harry), Catherine (Tim), Emily (Scott), Jack (Breanna) and Jillian (Aaron) will be forever influenced by the extraordinary amount of time Poppy spent playing with them, connecting with, and supporting them at every opportunity.

Gus’ family is eternally grateful for the compassionate and joyful care he received during his final 3 years at Sage Hill Memory Care home. The many wonderful nurses, HCAs and physicians became like our extended family.

In honour of Gus, find a generous amount of time to wholeheartedly talk and PLAY with the children and young people in your lives. Be silly, be active, joke around, tell them how valued they are. Hug each other freely every chance you get. Take some time to lend a hand to others in whatever big or small tasks they may need. And be sure to laugh a lot!

Cremation has taken place. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Advent Church, 11 Scenic Acres Gate N.W., Calgary, Alberta.

For those who wish, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. (https://alzheimer.ca/en)

The Service will be Livestreamed for those wishing to attend virtually.

The Livestream can be accessed through the following link: https://www.adventlutheran.ca/worship