Paul Armand Gagnon

Paul Armand Gagnon was a kind, quiet man whose 95 years touched the lives of many others. He was born into a world much different than the one he left and throughout his years, changed the lives of those around him.

Paul was born on October 26, 1919 to his parents, Wilbrod Gagnon and Lumina Tremblay, at their home in Moonbeam, Ontario. Paul was raised in Moonbeam as his family continued to grow. Paul was the eldest of nine, his eight siblings: Gérard, Laurent, Jacqueline, Jean-Baptiste, Rollande, Germain, Lorenzo, and Lucette. As a child, Paul was curious and playful, though he quickly assumed responsibility in the family. He enjoyed new activities and learned very young, how to work hard, farm, hunt, fish, snowshoe, play the fiddle and square dance. These skills followed him into adulthood.

In school, Paul was clever and bright, though somewhat devious. He is remembered for dipping girls' pigtails in the inkwells in the one-room schoolhouse he attended. He set a rabbit snare to catch the disliked teacher at the time. The students would lock the doors to keep him out, but, being small in stature, he would easily crawl back in through the windows. Paul continued these pranks and playfulness well into his old age.

As well as having a large family, Paul had many friends. Paul was uncomplicated and fun loving in his relationships, which allowed him to accept people for who they were. While growing up, some of his best friends were the the Gaudreault family, Ladislas Gagnon, Ti-Père Lapointe, Méderic Larouche, Henri Lapointe, Gérard Lebrun, Jacques Trottier, Marcel Trottier and Aimé Fillion. Later in life, when Paul moved to Oshawa, he became friends with Léo Quenneville, the Meir family, Viateur Lavergne, Gérard Rancourt, Marius Gagnon, Maurice Hébert, Quentin Ouellette, Lanny Maloney, Glen Gavel, Harold Marshall, Tom Rice, Léonard Levasseur, George St. Aubin, Aimé and Jeannette Fillion, Gerry and Claudette Donnelle and many many others.

On September 10th, 1946, Paul exchanged wedding vows with Yvonne Marie Jeanne Duguay at Sainte Agnès Fauquier Parish in Fauquier, Ontario. Paul famously left the girl he brought to a dance the night he met Yvonne to dance with his future wife. Their nearly 69 year marriage was filled with music, a large family and unexpected humour. Paul and Yvonne were blessed with five children: Huguette, Carol, Yves, Daniel and Gisèle. They were also blessed with eight grandchildren: Duane, Bambi, Rochelle, Ryan, Emily, Raphaëlle, Abigail and Olivia and three great-grandchildren: Kayla, Dakota and Tiberius.

Throughout his life, Paul had many jobs and developed many skills. He took on new challenges well and didn't let things set him back or get in the way. He worked in sawmills, logging camps, and as a hunting guide in the bush. During the depression, he worked out west in the wheat fields of the prairies. He worked twelve years for the city of Oshawa, as well as 17 for Chrysler Canada in Ajax, Ontario.

During his spare time, Paul enjoyed many hobbies, from word working to hunting, fishing, square dancing, playing cards and darts, the fiddle and the button accordion, snowmobiling, and camping. Paul loved to dance and did so until his later years. Many of his nieces and granddaughters remember him as somebody who was light on his feet and taught them to waltz and the two-step. Paul was hard working, kept a garden, built furniture and spent plenty of time outdoors. The fresh air and hard work kept his healthy and nimble until the end. He also enjoyed watching sports, especially hockey, the Montréal Canadiens being his favourite team. He enjoyed watching many other sports, though, never golf!

Additionally, Paul was an active member of many organizations: the Knights of Columbus, Club Canadien-Français, Jeunesse d'Hier, the dart club and modern square dancing. Faith was also important to him and he was a member of l'Assomption de Notre-Dame in Oshawa. He made and donated many hand-made wooden items for the annual bazaars and donated items to the parish.

Paul enjoyed his pets and in particular, Paul trained Daiquiri, a loving Pomeranian, to fetch his slippers and bring him the newspaper.

When his children were young, Paul had the chance to travel and explore places through camping. As he grew older, he enjoyed travelling, some of his favourite places being Lac Belle, Québec, New Brunswick, Florida, Mexico, and Western Canada. Paul was always willing to hop in the car, head on a long road trip and visit family and friends at the drop of a hat.

When Paul retired in 1984, he enjoyed relaxing and some personal projects. He and Yvonne relocated to Old Hastings Road in Ormsby, Ontario. They built a new home, a sawmill (that ran off a tractor), a workshop and built and stocked a huge trout pond. He enjoyed snowmobiling, snowshoeing and entertaining his grandchildren. He would build a tobogganing ramp every winter, the pond became a skating and hockey rink too! At "the cottage", Paul was always ready to have fun and do whatever it took to make the grandkids happy.

Paul passed away of natural causes on May 30, 2015 at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto. He is survived by his wife Yvonne, his five children, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, his brothers Laurent and Germain, and sisters Rollande and Lucette. Services were held at l'Eglise Catholique l'Assomption de Notre-Dame in Oshawa. Paul was laid to rest in Resurrection Cemetery in Whitby, Ontario.

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GAGNON, Paul Armand

Passed away peacefully at St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, on Saturday, May 30th, 2015 at the age of 95. Beloved husband of Yvonne for 68 years. Loving father of Huguette Bulmer (Edward), Carol Chiffot, Yves (Suzanne), Daniel, and Gisele Kashul (Michael). Loving Pepere/Grandfather of Duane, Bambi Danielle, Rochelle, Ryan, Emily, Raphaelle, Abigail and Olivia, and Great-Grandfather of Kayla, Dakota and Tiberius. Dear brother of Laurent, Rollande, Germain, Lucette and predeceased by Gerard, Jacqueline, Jean-Baptiste and Lorenzo. Paul was the oldest member of le conseil de Notre Dame des Chevaliers de Colombs #8549. Visitation will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Tuesday, June 2nd from 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will take place at ASSOMPTION DE NOTRE DAME PARISH (384 Hillside Ave., Oshawa) on Wednesday, June 3rd at 11:00 a.m. Memorial donations will be gratefully accepted for St. Michael’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.