Aime Gignac, blessed in his family, friends and missed by so many!

Aime Gignac (bottom left), surrounded by "the gang," L-R: Pat Gignac, David Dupuis, Roger Dupuis, Ken Quesnelle and Pat Duquette. Blessed to know him, Aime had so many circles in his life

I’ve been wanting to write a tribute to my good buddy, Aime Gignac, for months. I couldn’t. His sudden passing in April had taken the wind out of me. To be sure, I’ve not been in the mood to take my daily Sister Sunrise photos, nor to write. It was much too soon Aime, my “brother” forever!

Thank goodness I’ve been busy this summer and taken comfort in the company of my family, Sue, my kids, grandkids and our gang, the four other best friends—Pat Duquette, Pat Gignac, Roger Dupuis and Ken Quesnelle. We were the gang, friends forever. We once were six. Now we’re five. His passing has left a hole in all of us.

But the gang’s continued presence that I cherish, has enabled me to regroup this summer. I was finally able to focus and push through the first draft of Book 5 of my Hildegard series, but it’s been tough. Aime and I had been friends since Grade 1. Through his two year battle with cancer, we practically talked or texted daily. He had become a voracious reader the last few years and all of my books were his first reads and he became my number one Hildegard fan. He helped me at many of my signings. Well, he helped me my whole life. He helped so many.

I have so much I could share about Aime that I could write a book about it, as our lives constantly intertwined between school, work, hockey, friendship, cooking yes, especially meat pies, and life. I could go on and on. But this is not about me.

Because as close as I think I was to him, Aime had a HUGE circle of family, friends and acquaintances. He was so much loved, liked and respected by anyone who knew him. He had so many circles, he was so very rich that way.

The name “Aime” appropriately means “Love” in French. Named after an uncle, Aime had unbounded love for his family, his friends, and the community. He was born in Penetanguishene 65 years ago on November 8, 1958, to parents Maurille and Marie Gignac and was raised at the family home on the corner of Poyntz and John St. He was a cherished and much-loved brother to Paul, Gerald, Jackie, Lynda and Monique.

Aime was married for 42 years to his high school sweetheart, Anne Gignac. Yes, that was her maiden name. In high school we had to literally push him down the hall right in front of her to ask her out. He did and they’d been together ever since. They so adored each other. They had three children of which he was extremely proud—Jeremy, Chris and Greg. He so loved Anne and his family. They were his world. He was a cherished father-in-law to Katherine and Ana and a grandpa or “Papa” to Zackary, Benjamin, and Cormac. He married into another Gignac family from Perkinsfield and they too adored him. It was mutual. I can’t imagine the hole they are feeling in their lives. Hopefully the sadness will lessen for all of them in time.

As a teenager, Aime worked at the Penetang IGA before becoming a Registered Nurse and worked many years at the Mental Health Center, now called Waypoint. He then branched into businesses, as he and Anne owned Gignac’s Shell and Gignac’s Carwash in Midland and another carwash in Penetanguishene.

I was always in awe of the fact that there was nothing Aime was afraid of trying or tackling, especially in construction. Nothing. Whatever he did, he was a slow but absolutely thorough study. He had more guts and determination than anyone I’ve ever met. I so admired him for that. And he always had so much love and support from Anne in anything they tackled. They were always a team to be sure. Behind every good man is a great woman.

Aime loved hockey, baseball and ball hockey in his younger years and golfing throughout his life. He was the most giving and unselfish husband, father, brother, brother-in-law, uncle, employee, co-worker, business owner, coach, volunteer, golf buddy, and friend. He was always the first to help anyone in need. ALWAYS! Aime loved his life circles and they in turn loved him.

The measure of a man is the company he keeps, his family and friends. Aime was loved by so many that it was mindboggling. He had so many good friends. In that regard, Oh my Aime, you were such a giant.

Soon after being diagnosed with cancer two years ago, he and I sat for an entire afternoon by the water at his new house on Aberdeen, and shot the breeze. He was reflective. “You know, whatever happens, I’ve got no regrets. I’ve had a great, great life! I’ve been so blessed!” he said then.

I look back now and say on behalf of all of us,

“Aime! You sure did! And we were the ones blessed to have you in our lives. I’m going to miss you so much. And I won’t be alone. Thanks for everything, buddy! See you again soon.”