Eugene Gagnon

Eugene Vincent Paul Gagnon

Peacefully at the Notre Dame Foyer on Tuesday, January 15, 2013, Mr. Eugene Gagnon of Swan Lake, Manitoba passed away at the age of 86 years.

Eugene is survived by his wife of 65 years Germaine, son Lawrence (Joyce) Gagnon of Baldur, daughter Arlene (Robert) Zeghers of Holland, son Daniel (Monique) of Winnipeg and daughter in law Kim Gagnon of Brandon as well as his 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother Albert (Dorothee) Gagnon, brothers in law Ben Hacault and Edward Lessard; sisters in law Madeleine De Smet and Alida Verstraeten.

He was predeceased by his parents Ludger and Alice Gagnon, his son Dennis Gagnon, granddaughter Margaret Gagnon, Germaine’s parents Abraham and Prudence Verstraeten, his brother Andre, sisters Monica and Stella, brothers in law: Albert Verstraeten, Bert Roels and Maurice De Smet, sisters in law Irene Gagnon and Elodie Roels.

Eugene, the eldest son of Ludger and Alice Gagnon was born on the farm in St. Alphonse on January 22, 1926.  He married Germaine Verstraeten on October 30, 1947 and they began their life together farming west of St. Alphonse on the homestead of August Gagnon (Eugene's Grandfather).  They raised 4 children Lawrence, Dennis, Arlene and Daniel.  They operated a mixed farm until they retired to Swan Lake in 1985.  Even in retirement Eugene was a true farmer, he would commute back and forth to help his sons on their farms.  Eugene truly enjoyed and loved his family, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  He always liked to play jokes and tease the young ones and in his later years the staff at Notre Dame Foyer.  Eugene was an avid hunter, trapper and fisherman.  Eugene loved visiting with neighbors and friends.  In retirement years, he would look forward to their daily coffee shop outings, and socializing with friends in Swan Lake and neighboring areas.  Winter months Eugene enjoyed playing cards, his favorite card game was "Bien" and  in the summer he liked gardening and a game of Belgian Bowling in the grass.  Eugene became an honorary lifetime member of Campeau Knights of Columbus and served on many community committees, as a school trustee and on the church board.

Funeral Mass will be celebrated in the St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church in Swan Lake, MB on Saturday, January 19, 2013. Prayers at 1:30, Funeral Mass at 2 p.m. followed by interment in the Swan Lake Parish Cemetery.

Adam's Funeral Home of Notre Dame, Manitoba in care of arrangements. Phone 248-2201 or 1-888-400-2326. www.afh.ca