Obituary of Ghislain Edmond Gagnon
On July 4, 2024, Ghislain Edmund Gagnon (Jet) passed away peacefully at the Saint John Regional Hospital at the age of 94. Ghislain was born in Bagotville, Quebec on December 20, 1929, to the late Louis-Joseph Gagnon and Hermance Boivin. Ghislain was predeceased by his wife Frances Gagnon (Hanley), his brother Delonzo Gagnon and his step-sister Louise Gagnon. Ghislain is survived by his son Gilles Gagnon (Moira) of Rothesay and his grandchildren Erica Zwicker (Matthew) of Halifax and Simon Gagnon of Toronto, his daughter Lisa Gagnon-Norris (Martyn) of Farnham, England and his step-sister Francine Dufour (Claude) of Chicoutimi, Quebec.
Ghislain grew up in Bagotville, Quebec and attended the Corporation des Technicians Professionals de la Province de Quebec in Trois-Rivières earning his Technician Diplômé in 1954. Ghislain moved to Dalhousie soon after graduating to work as a machinist at the I.P Plant as it was known at that time. Jet soon called the town of Dalhousie his home and married a local girl and love of his life, Frances Hanley in 1958.
A very good hockey player, he played as part of the North Shore Senior Hockey League with the Dalhousie Rangers including a championship year in 1957-58. Hockey was always a big part of Ghislain’s life, even his nickname Jet came from this sport, referring to his speed on the ice. Everyone in Dalhousie knew him as “Jet”. Not only a great hockey player, Jet was a linesman and also coached the Dalhousie Junior B Rangers for many years. A very proud moment for Jet and the Dalhousie Junior B Rangers team was representing New Brunswick at the Canada Games in Lethbridge, Alberta in 1975. For his dedication to the sport of hockey, Jet was inducted into the Dalhousie Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
Jet was also an avid golfer and enjoyed many rounds with his good friends and his wife Frances at Restigouche Golf Club. Over the years he served on the Board and as President of Restigouche Golf Club and was awarded a lifetime membership in recognition of his tireless work.
Jet had a long career with NBIP (Resolute Forest Products) and worked in both the pulp and paper mill and woodlands operations. He enjoyed working on a specific project called “Project 80” in Montreal with head office and ended his career as Maintenance Manager for the paper mill operations. After his retirement he and Frances spent many winters in Florida enjoying the sunny weather and their golf. A good carpenter, Jet also loved his woodworking projects making items for friends and family and fixing things around their house. He loved his workshop and tools! A proud father and grandfather he and Frances enjoyed visiting Gilles, Moira, Simon, Erica, Lisa and Martyn throughout the years and seeing them live happy lives.
Jet will be dearly missed by his family and friends however having just lost Frances only nine months ago his family take comfort in knowing they are together again.
The family wish to thank the Saint John Regional Hospital, especially the staff on 5C North and Palliative Care during the past month, Kindred Care and the Chateau de Champlain in Saint John for the care and kindness they extended over the past few months and to the Extra Mural nurses in both Dalhousie and Saint John for their excellent care the past two years.
Donations in Ghislain’s memory can be made to the ALS Society.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan’s Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John, NB, (506-645-7424). Services will be held in Dalhousie, NB later this summer and will be under the care and direction of Macmillan-Drapeau Funeral Home (Black Point, NB).
