Michel "Mike" Gagnon

Our Mike came into this world on March 22, 1949, and lived in Les Mechins, Quebec, for some of his younger years. He was the adopted son of Zephirin and Clothilde Gagnon and became a big brother for his younger sisters, Roxanne and Caroline.

He moved away from home at a very young age. Mike joined the merchant marines for many years, sailing on many different vessels inside and outside of Canada. Over the years, he went to many different countries and really enjoyed working with diverse groups of people. His enthusiasm and the ability to feel at ease with anyone and they with him, was a beautiful part of his personality.

Mike came to Halifax and joined the Navy one year before we met. Mike and I met at a dance at the Waegwoltic Club on April 17, 1970. He spoke “broken English“ as French was his first language. We loved dancing together and developed a deep love for each other that transitioned to our marriage on February 2, 1974, and our subsequent 60 years together. We started in Quebec City, where we lived for several years until we moved to Nova Scotia in 1976 to be near my family. Over the years together, our family has grown to three children, Lori, Jennifer, and Pierre. We also have grandchildren, Maggie, Ellyott, Jaelynne, and Callen, and we are very proud to have two great-grandchildren, Emmett and Solara. Mike developed a very special bond with my parents, Thomas Francis Meagher and Elizabeth Grady Scheider Meagher, and my siblings, Tom, Mary, John, and Barbara.

Mike continuously tried to expand his knowledge about his trade as a Marine Engineer Second Class. At the Nautical school, he could be found in his dorm, kicked back with his feet up, his windowsill lined with perishables to keep them cold, and he always had a constant flow of visitors who would come to say hi and seek advice. His magnetic personality centred on his need to understand other people's stories. Even in recent months and his many admissions to the hospital, he could be found once again kicked back in his wheelchair or hospital bed, enjoying conversations with other patients, their families and staff. Mike (Dad) still wanted to show his genuine interest in other people‘s lives, and honestly, always would have “given the shirt off his back” to help anyone without question.

Mike deeply loved family, including all the fur family we have had over the years. Our current dogs, Lucy and Tibou, adored him and could often be found playing with him and snuggling with him. In the past 12 months, since his health declined significantly, Lucy and Tibou would travel from our bed to his hospital bed to cuddle each of us, and we laughed about this as they brought such joy, warmth, and comfort to him.

Throughout this journey and all of the progression of his illnesses, our family has come together in a way that loved him, supported and comforted him in every way possible. His needs became very complex, but this really built a beautiful bond and commitment as a family, which he LOVED. What really connected us was seeing his love for all of us. As a family, we don’t want to talk about the struggles he had leading up to his death, but we advocated that he be comfortable as he left this world. We are thankful to the first responders and medical teams who helped give Mike his pride and dignity.

The Celebration of Life Service will take place at J.A. Snow’s Funeral Home on Lacewood Drive in Halifax on August 31 at 2 PM. This will also be live-streamed, as many people who cared for him cannot attend in person.

As a family, instead of condolences, we invite you to share stories and anecdotes about Mike. We really want these stories that you could share, as this will help us all build our memories together and share the joy he brought into this world. We want to remember my Mike, my dad, my Grampy, my great Grampy, and my friends in a way that will honour ALL THE MAN HE WAS.

In place of flowers, we ask that any donation be made in his name to the Missions to Seafarers, 844 Marginal Rd., Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 4M8, or phone 902-422-7790.