Alphonse Degagne

August 10, 1940 – August 9, 2021

Softhands.

Alphonse Joseph Ernest DeGagne, beloved husband to Helen for 60 years, passed away peacefully at the age of 80 in the Pine Falls hospital.

Alphonse leaves behind his children, Brian (Leigh-Ann), Donna and Cheryl (Cam), grandchildren Pamela (Chad), Stephanie, Roberto, Brendan, Aaron (Hailey), Breanna, Nathan and Kaela and great-grandchild Luca, as well as brothers Isadore and Rene and sisters Lucy, Florence, Yvette and Anita. He was sadly predeceased by his oldest brother and partner in crime Arthur by 6 days.

When Dad met and married the love of his life, Helen, their lifelong adventure began. After moving a few times, they settled in Pine Falls. Dad especially enjoyed his Sunday barbecues with family. Whenever there was a project or some work that needed to be done, he was always the first one there to help with his tools in hand and eager to show you how to do it right the first time! Dad’s “5 minute” projects were anything but, and you knew you were there for the day!! We enjoyed camping trips in the summer, going to visit family, and the never ending tunes of dad’s favorite songs playing in the background. Dad loved spending time with his grandchildren, getting into trouble with them and making them laugh with his funny antics and sense of humor.

Alphonse was the barber in Pine Falls for 40 years in a combination barbershop and pool hall. He loved being the sole proprietor for his little business. Dad loved the cast of characters in the pool hall and handled his clients with respect, giving them a home away from home, in turn earning their respect. The barbershop was an extension of his creative skills as he crafted haircuts and earned him the nickname “Softhands” from the calloused paper mill workers. Customer service was always on his mind and he worked tirelessly to improve his business, find new opportunities and look after his customers. As his customers aged and were not mobile or were in the hospital, he would make house calls in the evenings to give them a joyful haircut. Not only the barber, he was a mentor, counsellor and therapist to his clients listening to their challenges and stories. Never shy, he would strike up a meaningful conversation with any stranger in any city that crossed his path through his inquisitive questions and genuine concern for every human on the planet. He loved music, dancing, snowbirding with Helen in Rincon Guyabitos, Mexico and brought a sparkle of life to every gathering with his charm and humor. Dad had many hobbies – fishing, cars, snowmobiling, house renovations and finally in retirement, outfitted a woodworking shop that was the envy of any hobby woodworker. He made all kinds of crafts – tables, shelves, benches, arbors and even made the beautiful urn for his own ashes.

Dad was generous, resilient and had long standing relationships with hundreds of people he met throughout his life. His most important relationship was with our Mom. Dad would do anything for his soulmate and took her on a 60 year adventure that even she never dreamed would be so fun with this engaging and loving man. Dad lived a good life and he was a good man. We miss you Dad.

A Memorial Service will take place at Sobering Funeral Chapel, 1035 Park Avenue East, Beausejour, at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.  The family welcomes you to join them inside the chapel, which is limited to 200 patrons, or in the parking lot of Sobering Funeral Chapel and tuning your radio to 98.1 FM.  If you are in the parking lot, there will be an opportunity to sign the guest register from your vehicle.  Please adhere to social distancing regulations and masks are strongly recommended. 

A Livestream of the funeral service can be accessed through the WEBEX app on your mobile phone or visit www.webex.com on your PC.  Enter the Meeting Number: 25564719366 and Password: MatD8uSJ6b3 to view the livestream.  

** Direct access to the WEBEX LIVERSTREAM can be accessed HERE **

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