It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Gabriel (Gabe) (Gaby)Perron who died peacefully in his sleep on November 8, 2023.
Gabriel was born in Montreal in 1936 and began his career in the Canadian Air Force as a navigator. However, he was forced to change careers as he had trouble distinguishing various greens. After the Air Force, he enrolled in the Pulp and Paper College which enabled him to spend a major part of his life working across Canada in pulp mills. Gabriel’s last pulp mill was in Squamish, BC, where he met and married his loving wife, Sharon. From Squamish, Sharon and Gabriel moved to Saanichton on Vancouver Island. While living in Saanichton, Gabriel enjoyed working at the Victoria Airport during his retirement.
Gabriel is predeceased by his mother Lucienne, his father Leopold, and his brothers Gilles and Yves. He is survived by his wife, Sharon, and 2 sisters, Gilberte and Jocelyne. He is also survived by his 3 sons Francois, Jean-Luc (Christina), Patrice (Sandy) and grandchildren Dawson and Ashley and his stepdaughter Geraldine (Stuart) and grandchildren Naden and Ben.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all the staff at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital for their kindness, support and care during Gabriel’s stay.
Although there will be no memorial service at this time, If you wish to make a donations, please make it to the Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Sending heartfelt condolences, I hope your happy memories will help you through this difficult time.
The oldest memory I have of my brother Gabriel dates from 1957. I remember when Gabriel trained as an air cadet in Manitoba, sometimes he had permission to come back and spend a few days at home to see his family from Québec. I was so happy to see him. I was ten years and he used to tease me saying to my mother I was a spoiled child … and it was true.
Gaby was the youngest of my three brothers who had to live in Montréal without their father Léopold gone in England from 1941 to 1945 to serve his country during World War II. Meanwhile mother Lucienne worked on a night shift at the Vickers arm company to participate in the war effort. Imagine how life could have been hard for this family of 4 young children!
After war, they moved to Cap-de-la-Madeleine where I was born. Gaby graduated Secondary 12 in Cap-de-la-Madeleine and then for 3 years he studied to Institut des pâtes et papier in Trois-Rivières and got his technician degree. After that he began his active life working in the town of Grand-Mère for the Consolidated Paper Company. He married Carmen Poirier, the late mother of his three sons.
While in Québec, Gaby also worked for paper mills in Lebel-sur-Quévillon and Port-Cartier before his family and he moved to British Columbia. When Gaby and family lived in Grand-Mère situated about 40 km from my parent’s home we regularly had family gatherings in Cap-de-la-Madeleine and in summer at family’s chalet in Batiscan. Of course the distance between Quebec and BC slowed down our meetings but each time we went to Squamish or Saanichton, we were more than welcomed by Gabriel and Sharon.
Gaby was also an appreciated member of French Canadian Association of Victoria.
To Sharon, to my nephews, to relatives and friends I offer my condolences
Jocelyne Perron, Batiscan, Qc
My deep condolences, Pat.
Mes sincères condoléances à vous tous. Mon parrain était un homme de caractère… j’imagine qu’il en fallait pour élever 3 garçons….
Bon repos dans l’au delà oncle Gaby!
Pat..so sorry to hear of your dads passing…my thoughts are with you and your family. hugs
It was with sadness that I have received the news that my cousin Gaby had passed away. It brings back so many wonderful memories of all the great times we passed together every summer at the “Perron Home” in Cap de la Madeleine for so many years. Gaby was an excellent Cousin to me and even though I haven’t seen him for many years I have always kept him in my thoughts mostly every last two weeks of August when “The Cadieux” arrived at their home and passed such a great time together.
Please accept my most sincere condolences and prayers to all his family and my 2 cousins Gilberte and Jocelyne.