Jane and family
My condolences in your loss.
GAUVIN, Michel
1943 - 2024
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Michel Gauvin on May 28, 2024.
Growing up in Magog, Quebec, fifth born to a family of artists, Michel (Mike) was born in 1943 to (late) Hector Gauvin and (late) Pauline Harvey. He is survived by his wife Jane (aka Hun), his children Joseph and Tania (Sean) and his grandchildren, Vincent, Melodie, Henry and Ruby, who are glad that Grandpa is no longer scared or confused and is sleeping forever now. Michel is pre-deceased by his brother Gaston (late Sybil), sister Denise (late Onil), father-in-law Durwood (Florence) and brother-in-law Jim (Janet). He leaves behind his siblings Andrée (late Charles), Jacques (late France), Francine (Yves) and Pauline (Gerard); in-laws Gerald (Doris), Edmund, Donald (late Linda); many beloved nieces and nephews, extended family and his friends (notably, Martin and Lillian).
Mike, who was sometimes mistaken as Italian Mafia, was a well-known local drummer, playing in various bands over the years, chiefly, The Countrymen. One night in 1974, while playing at the Country Inn, Mike’s killer smile would catch the attention of Jane Cunnington, a spring chicken raised on a farm in Stanstead. Despite not knowing a lick of French and perhaps with her impressive two-stepping skills, Jane would enchant the French city boy and they would soon be married for nearly 49 years.
The couple would have two adored children, whom they would pass their love of music onto as they were lucky to be raised in the good ol‘days when kids could enjoy the country dances too, despite having red, burning eyes from all the cigarette smoke! More refreshing were the yearly visits to Old Orchard Beach every summer where Mike would be found inhaling his favourite food (next to bbq chicken), fried clams, as Joe and Tania roamed the arcade while Jane literally baked in the sun, lathered in Crisco oil. Ahh, those were the days.
For seventeen years, Mike enjoyed his job in the Eaton’s warehouse before a back injury would force him to be a house husband. He later worked at a coffee factory but would soon return to his good friend Bob Barker, after all that coffee dust generated serious lung issues.
Mike was a sensitive man with a soft spot for animals and children, who were always drawn to him. Perhaps it was his striking resemblance to Groucho Marx or his distinctly deep voice, but likely because he himself was still a child at heart. He would often play Solitaire on his iPad and loved playing Canasta with family and friends. He was known for his humour, charm, and playfulness. He wasn’t, however, a skilled handyman - that role was filled by his best friend and canasta partner, Martin, thankfully.
Mike loved taking the family on trips to Ontario to visit relatives and would often just go for a drive with his dog, tapping the steering wheel along to the music. He loved driving so much that the loss of his license (due to glaucoma) in November would produce a deep sadness in him that would initiate the onset of Dementia and Alzheimer’s, which rapidly robbed him of the person he once was. His family started mourning him once it was clear that he no longer had any interest in watching hockey or listening to music – a shock, to say the least. He would spend nearly three months in Wales home before he was taken to hospital with double pneumonia. Here, he would spend four days, without pain, his doting wife by his side, waiting together for his freedom. He was with Jane and his sisters Andrée and Pauline when he took his last breath, finally relieved from his struggle. Strangely, his family would find themselves being thankful for his lung affliction (COPD), as it was the blessing that helped end his torment sooner than later. He was saved from his suffering, and with this came comfort.
Thank you from his family for your heartfelt sympathies. May you find peace with his loss. Even though his light went out, there will always be a light left on so he will never be in the dark. He will always be cherished.
A celebration of life will be held on August 4th at The Piggery Theatre, 215 Ch Simard in North Hatley from 2:00 to 7:00 pm with a service at 3:00 pm.
Donations in Michel’s name can be made to https://spaestrie.qc.ca/donner/faire-un-don/ or https://alzheimer.ca/en/take-action/make-your-donation-today
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