Peacefully, surrounded by the love of his family, Gerard Mangin, beloved husband of the late Florence (Bisson) Mangin, passed away on January 21, 2014 at the Foyer Notre Dame at the age of 88. Gerard was born in 1925, son of Ernestine (Simoens) and Joseph Mangin, sibling to Louis (1922-1931), Marie, Emile (1928 -2009) and Louis (1931 - 2011). Gerard lost his precious mother in 1936. He did his schooling at the Bruxelles convent and finished grade 7. Joseph remarried in 1938 to Elizabeth Murray. They had four children: Francois, George, Jean and Therese. Gerard spent many years working to help his father with the finances, as was the custom in those days. Then at a funeral in Bruxelles, he saw a beautiful young girl sitting in church beside her mother, and in his mind he knew he had to meet her. A few months later he got his wish. He finally met his future wife, Florence. They married in 1949 in Dunrea. They settled on their farm NE of Bruxelles and raised a family of 7 children: Annette (Donald), Raymond (Annette), Céline (Antoine), Daniel (Jacqueline), Ronald, Denise (Kevin) and Louane (Rick). Gerard spent his farming years with crops, milking cows and a few pigs each year for food. Gerard loved music his entire life. He liked playing his harmonica with his brother Emile, who played the guitar, as well as his cousins. That love of music and singing has passed down to his children as well. Once he retired from farming, Gerard and Florence moved into a home had built in Holland with the help of his brothers. There, they continued to do carpentry. In November of 1989, Gerard and Florence moved into the villa in Holland. Their life was becoming quieter since they are now both retired. Gerard lost the love of his life in May of 2006. His life was changed once again. But with his faith and love of family, he focused mostly on his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was so proud of us all. In January 2013, he once again had a move. This time is was to the Pavillion of St. Claude while waiting for a room at the Foyer. With steadily declining health, the move was necessary. As with everything in his life, Gerard took this step even though it was so difficult to just walk out of his home into the unknown. In February he moved into the Foyer, where he got to meet and enjoy the company of so many folks, including his first school teacher who lived only 2 rooms away from him. Gerard leaves to morn him his children, 29 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Florence, his sons Daniel and Ronald, son-in-law Kevin, as well as his father Joseph, mother Ernestine, his step mother Elizabeth, brothers Louis, Emile and Louis, brother-in-law, Alcide Bisson. Prayers were said in Bruxelles under the guidance of Raymond Mangin. Music was celebrated with Philippe and Danièle Hutlet, Sarah and Jordan McQuaid, Louise LaFrance, Jared Dreiling, Miranda Hutlet. The video presentation was compiled by Suzanne Molinski. The Mass of the Christian Burial was celebrated on Saturday, January 24th in Bruxelles with Fr. Paul Bisson and Fr. John McKenzie concelebrating the Mass. Internment in the St. Gerard Parish cemetery of Bruxelles. If friends so desire, donations may be made in Gerard's memory to the Vocation Fund c/o Maria Duce K of C #8498 Attn: Louis Van Den Bussche, Holland, MB, R0G 0X0, or toTiger Mountain League for Life c/o Morley Sundell, Holland, MB R0G 0X0

Visitation Details

Friday, January 24th, 2014 8:00pm, St. Gerard Catholic Church

Service Information

Saturday, January 25th, 2014 11:00am, St. Gerard Catholic Church

Interment Details

St. Gerard Parish Cemetery