| Gagnon - Lucien Zoël Gagnon, who after a prolonged illness passed away on Tuesday, July 1 at the young age of 70. Lucien was born in Falher, Alberta on October 26th, 1937. He was the eighth child of Frank Gagnon and Éliosa Morin, the first in his family to be born in a hospital. Lucien was only three years old when his mother passed away while giving birth to a ninth child. During his early years, his older sisters cared him for. Geraldine remembers Lucien being quite upset when she married – probably because for him it was like losing his mother again. But he soon got over it as Germaine quickly and without question started looking after her little brother. Lucien was raised in the Falher area. He was a favourite "mononcle" to the many nieces and nephews that he babysat. Some of his fondest memories were of growing up on the farm, of boarding at the convent, and of working alongside his Dad and his older brothers. He attended Collège Notre Dame where he completed his high school. After high school, Lucien ventured to Edmonton with three of his classmates to attend college where they all studied meteorology. He worked as a weatherman in various communities, including Jasper, Watson Lake and Norman Wells. It was in the early part of 1962, while working at the weather office in Coronation that he first laid eyes on the lovely young lady that was to be his bride. Lou and Carol married in Coronation on October 26, 1963. Shortly after the nuptials, the couple moved to Peace River, where Tim, Gary and Gloria were born. After six years in Peace River, the family moved to Cambridge Bay, where they lived for two years. Then in 1971, it was back to Coronation, where they bought a lot in town and built their own home. Eventually, after 15 years of being a weatherman, Lou left the weather office and started working in the oil patch for Corvette Construction, which later became Mitchell and Associates. In 1979, while he still working for Mitchell, Lou and Carol bought an acreage, 10 miles north of Coronation. The children enjoyed living on the acreage. They had a milking cow, pigs, horses, skidoos, trikes and many other toys. Their Dad wanted to give them a taste of the farm life that he had enjoyed so much. In about 1984, at a time when oil companies were amalgamating and the future of Mitchell & Associates was up in the air, the family sold the acreage and bought a house in town. The house came with a satellite system that wasn't working. Lou couldn't find anyone to fix it. He saw a need and an opportunity. He left Mitchell and Associates and started his own company: T&L Satellites: selling, installing and servicing satellite systems. At first it was those huge dishes that measured 10-14 feet in diameter and cost as much as a small car and later, the smaller systems, as we know them today. When just about everyone in the country had a satellite dish and he felt he was not busy enough, Lou started another business: Lou's Lawn Edging and Tree Trimming. Eventually, he slowed down and settled into part time employment as receiver at the Castor Waste Transfer Station where he enjoyed socializing with customers. Lou enjoyed spending time with his family and was a great provider and ensured that his children were well cared for. He took great pride in their accomplishments. He accepted their life choices and supported them in every way he could. He adored spending time with his grandchildren. Lou is survived by his loving wife, Carol and their son Tim, his wife Kelly and their children Jared, Jacob and Ashley. His daughter Gloria living in Edmonton, his sisters Géraldine and Lucille, both living in Falher as well as numerous nieces and nephews, also survive him. His parents, Frank and Eliosa, his sisters Aurore, Germaine and Rolande, his brothers Rosaire and Pierre and his son Gary predeceased him. Funeral services were held at Coronation Community Centre on Saturday, July 5, 2008. Paulette Briand gave the tribute. Tim Gagnon was urnbearer, while All of Lou’s Pool Buddies were honourary pallbearers. Memorial donations may be made to the AB Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Alberta Kidney Foundation, condolences may be forwarded to the family by signing the guest book at www.parkviewfuneralchapels.com Parkview Funeral Chapels & Crematorium entrusted with the care and arrangements, at 403-578-3777. |