Age 75 of Cheticamp, passed away peacefully at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre, Cheticamp on April 8th, 2022. He fought a courageous battle with cancer for over five years never complaining and always with a positive attitude. He was dealt a difficult hand being diagnosed after just 5 years of retirement, even starting radiation treatment on his 70th birthday. His drive and determination in the face of adversity will be lessons that will live on with all those who loved him.
Gerard was born at the Cheticamp hospital and grew up in Grand Étang. He is predeceased by his parents Lévis à Isidore Chiasson and Marie-Henriette (Poirier) Chiasson. He is survived by his wife Geraldine (Caissie) Chiasson; and his two sons David (Tessa) Chiasson and Steven (Monique) Chiasson as well as his three siblings Edna (Jimmy) Poirier, Sylvia (Adrien) Boudreau and Robert (Elaine) Chiasson. Gerard was happiest when he was surrounded by his grandchildren whom he loved greatly, Colton, Kayla, Brylenne, Ashlyn and Joélie.
Gerard moved to Toronto as a teenager where he met Geraldine, his beloved wife of 53 years and lifelong companion. Toronto is where they started their family when their first son David was born. They later returned to Grand Étang in 1973 where their son Steven was born shortly after. He worked years managing Margaree Windows until he became the manager of the Cheticamp Coop Building Supplies. He passionately invested a lot of time and energy into his personal business, Chiasson Woodworking, where he manufactured wood windows and doors and later transitioned it into a successful equipment and tool rental business.
Upon retirement he found his true passion when he fulfilled his lifelong dream of building a camp in the mountains and started perfecting his craft of making maple syrup. Every year he would find new trees to tap to ensure he had more than enough syrup to share with friends and family. He was in his happy place when he could venture up the mountains on his ATV and visit his camp even if it was simply to light a fire in his old wood stove and watch it burn.
He was an active member of his community volunteering his time early in life with his involvement with Minor Hockey. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and sat on many committees and boards in Grand Étang. He was even known to put on a lobster costume to lead the odd bus tour through the Mi-Carême Interpretative Centre. He loved to act and sing in local concerts to raise money for various causes. He looked forward to his many social groups such as his morning coffee club and his weekly pool leagues. Not long ago he was still volunteering to deliver Meals on Wheels to the sick and elderly.
If you ask any family member, they would probably say that his true calling in life was to make people laugh along with his gift of brightening up any room. He was a gentle man, humble beyond his years, lived life to the fullest and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those around him. Whether it was defending his favorite hockey team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, talking politics or discussing current events, he never backed down from friendly arguments with those who were willing to participate. He loved to spend quality time with friends which was even better time spent if it was over a round of golf or a game of pool.
The family would like to thank his entire medical team, especially Dr. Kian Khodadad, Dr. John Ritter, and Dr. Amélie Maillet, Jean, Moira, Melissa, Lori Ann, Eleanor, and Rhonda, as well as the fantastic staff at the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre, for the wonderful, compassionate care he received.
Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:30am followed by the funeral mass at 10:30 am on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Church, St. Joseph du Moine with Father Pierre Antoine St. Cyr officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can kindly be made to the Cape Breton Cancer Patient Care Fund (www.cbrhfoundation.ca) or to the Sacred Heart Community Health Centre, Cheticamp.
Condolences
Geraldine,
My sympathies to you and family. Your next door neighbor in Grand Etang.
Victoria
Geraldine, David (Tessa), Steven (Monique), Edna (Jimmy), Sylvia (Adrien), Robert (Elaine) & families; I was saddened to hear about Gérards passing. I read his obituary and he seemed like such a great man. I wish our families could have met (Marie-Henriette was my mother’s Aunt. Sending you all my deepest condolences on your loss as you go through this very difficult time. May he RIP.
Our sincere condolences to all the family.
Our deepest sympathy fir your loss.he was such a nice man. Rip gerard
Wayne & I want to send our deepest condolences to his wife, children and sisters & brother. Gerard was the nicest of men & always so agreeable whenever we did business at Co-Op Building supples. Our thoughts & prayers are with all of you.
Our deepest sympathies to the family
Cyril and I send our deepest condolences to all family and friends. I remember Gerard for his quiet demeanour. 🤍
Deepest sympathies from Eugene Cormier and family
My deepest sympathies to you Geraldine and your family.
Geraldine,David and Steven and family, I so sorry to hear about your loss. Gerry was a kind soul and full of love.
My deepest condolences to you Geraldine,David & Steven and your families. So sad to hear Gerard is gone. May he live forever in your memories. I am so glad I had a chance to make his acquaintance . Was very impressed with him. Hugs to you all😥
Deepest condolences to the familly.
Qu’elle beau témoignage pour un si .grand homme. Mes sincères condoléances à toute la famille.
My deepest condolences to you Geraldine, his family and friends.
He will always be fondly remembered by the staff (1980’s-2011ish) at the Cheticamp Co-op
– a true heart of gold.
Thank you for all the laughs Gerard. 🙏🙏🙏
My condolences to all family and friends. 💚 He will be remembered as a great man.
Our deepest condolences to the whole family. He will be missed in the community.
Gerald had a kind soul.
Gerald was honest and ethical man, My condolences to the family.
On vous envoie nos sinceres sympathies .
Dora et Edgar Aucoin
Darlene et Jeanmarc Paturel
Condolences to Geraldine and Family. Gerry was and will always remain the true definition of a father and a gentleman.
Mike and I and the girls send you love and prayers during this difficult time. Dad was Gerard’s good buddy and I am sure welcomed him with joy ..there are no words to convey how much he will be missed.
I worked with Gerard for all the time he worked at the Cheticamp Co-op. Great guy to work with, to golf with, and overall a fun guy. My sincere sympathies to Geraldine, David, Steven and the rest of the family.
I hung around with Gerard when we were teenagers and I was extremely happy to be able to re establish that relationship in the past few years. Kind, compassionate and a friend to all does not truly capture all the positive attributes of this great individual. He moves on to a better place at a time when I was really looking forward to continuing our relationship as neighbours. Rest In Peace Gerard knowing that you have left a mark on me and many of your friends and acquaintances.
Geraldine and family as well as Edna, Sylvia, Robert and families,
We were very sorry to hear about Gerard’s passing Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
God bless.
Our hearts are broken. We so loved this sweet, kind hearted, gentle man. Our most sincere condolences to Geraldine, Stephen and David, his grandchildren and also to Edna, Sylvia and Robert. A loss that will be felt for a very long time to come.
Sorry so on the passing of your Dad David I know it is hard to lose someone in your family may God be with you are during your time of grief
Our sincere condolences to you Geraldine ,David and Steven and the rest of his extended family and friends ,which I am sure their are many .May God give you strength in the days ahead knowing he is now at peace.RIP Gerard💕🙏❤️
They threw away the mold when Gerard was born, a very pleasant distant cousin, our condolences
to Geraldine, David, Steven, Edna, Sylvia, Robert & the extended family.
Geraldine and family
My sincere sympathy and prayers during this difficult time.
Our sincere condolences to my cousin Gerdiine and family for the loss of her husband, father and grandfather. Sending hugs❤ Dorothy Hutton and family
Our sympathies to Geraldine & family, from Marcella and I. Gerard is no longer in pain!
Heartfelft sympathies to Geraldine and family. We will forever remember Gerry for his friendship and gentle humour and be grateful for being treated as family.
Deepest condolences to Geraldine, David, Steven and family. So sorry to hear of Gerry’s passing. He was such a nice guy and when I think of him, I remember laughing. Thoughts and prayers with your family during this sad time.
Gerard was a kind and gentle man, who will be remembered for his good nature…
My sincerest condolences to Geraldine & the entire family!! Gerry is no longer in pain! Big Hugs! 🤗 🤗
Our love and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Love
Karolyn & Stuart