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January 07, 2023
On behalf of our family and with heavy hearts we are announcing the passing of our father Clifford Allen Beagan who passed away January 7th, 2023, in his 91st year, at home surrounded by loved ones.
Dad accepted that it was his time to leave us and felt he lived a good life with 5 children,15 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and a great love for his Barbie Jane whom he was married to for almost 65 years.
Descending from a pioneer family, Dad was known as one of Parry Sound’s historians. Dad remembered everything and everyone. He could tell you who lived in each house, stories about their families and the Parry Sound community. His memory was incredible and we are extremely grateful for it. We have preserved those stories in his memoirs.
Dad was very fond of his Victory school days and he would recall stories with vivid detail. Memories of the day he was sent to the office for running across the desks, or when tempted to ring the fire bell, or when his leg was broken by a classmate’s toboggan. His Victory school friends were very special to him especially the blue eyed, curly blonde haired Margie Orr and Maybeth Coyne whom he shared incredible life long friendships with.
Clifford often chuckled when remembering his mischievous younger self, like the day he put oil on the railway tracks and watched the train slide, missing its stop.
His love of trains when he was young took him away from Parry Sound to a career with CP rail as a brakeman for 16 years where he survived a serious train wreck. Later on, his brother introduced him to his Barbie Jane whom he married, started a family, and then moved them to Windsor where he became a foreman at GM. He was an avid pilot and car enthusiast. He purchased The Creamery in 1969 and moved back to Parry Sound to raise his young family in the safety of his home town.
Never one to shy away from change or controversy, Dad was influential while on council for 9 years implementing waste recycling, the fire hall museum, and was the first business in Parry Sound to remove smoking from his establishment.
Dad was an amazing coach and manager in hockey and baseball creating bonds till the very end. He was involved in the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Hockey Club, Curling Club, Hospital, Town Council, Victory School. Dad was one of the oldest graduating students of PSHS exceeding his teachers ages by decades. He received his diploma to a cheering crowd.
Family and friends were his greatest treasure in life. Relationships at a heartfelt level were what he was most grateful for and he was very clear to point this out in his 90th birthday speech.
Special thanks to Dr. Clarke and Kim Hutchins for going above and beyond.
Dad is survived by our mother Barbara, children Nancy (Sam), Dan (Dawn), Susan (Clyde), Jennifer (Kirk), Tricia (Dave)
He was a devoted Grandpa to Joshua (Rick), Kylie (John), Jarrett, Nick (Sam), Jessica (Nick), Korben (Chris), Kolby, Madison, Griffin (Alex), Siera, Rylen (Michelle), Kacie (Jalon), Logan, Lucas, Quinn. Loving Great Grandpa to Sosi, and Cassian.
Predeceased by brothers Jack, Ted, Dan, Ross, and sisters Hilda, Connie, Marion, and Judy. Survived by brother Bill.
A Celebration of Cliff’s Life will be held at St. James United Church, Parry Sound, on Saturday, May 13th, 2023, at 1:00 P.M.
As expressions of sympathy, donations to the West Parry Sound District Museum would be appreciated.
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Condolences
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of Cliff. I know that him and my mom (Berniece Woodroffe Johnson) spent many years together at Victory. My thoughts and condolences are with you all. He was a great man!
-Karen-Ann Johnson
Heartfelt sympathy to Barb and family. It was an honor to have known him. Will hold him fondly in my memories.
-Wendy Pickles
Our condolences to the Beagan family.
-Ed Cascanette
I will miss Cliff and his stories. He had the best memory I have ever come across. The ones about what he and my brother, Ted Carney, got up to were hilarious. Like when my Mum was in the hospital having me and they sat in our kitchen on Great North Rd eating peaches from the jars! What a great guy.
-Bonnie Henderson
Dear Aunt Barb and cousins. Our condolences are with you with Uncle Cliff’s passing. He leaves a void that will be hard to fill. We will never forget his good will and sense of humour. He was the best boss and funniest hunting partner I ever had. R.I.P.
-John and Michelle Beagan
I John-Ryan and Douglas Carney (grandchildren) of Ted (Edwin) and Joan Carney extend our condolences to the family of Cliff. Cliff was a dear friend of my grandfather and an impressive historian when it came to Parry Sound and surrounding area along the Georgian Bay. My brother and I would like to attend the celebration of life in the spring to pay our respects. Again we would like send our thoughts and prayers to the family.
-John Carney
I am so sorry for your loss. Growing up in Parry Sound your dad was a household name in the community.
-Trevor and Amanda Jalonen (Bray)
Words can’t express my sorrow for you and your family. Please accept my condolences.
-Barb Patterson
I would argue, but for my brother Clifford, I would never have become an NHL referee which led to a 32-year multifaceted career in the game of hockey.
For Christmas, 1950, Cliff bought me my first pair of brand new “Rocket Richard” pattern skates that would cost, in the mid-20th century, a whopping $29.95; which would feed a family like mine for more than an entire week.
Cliff was not a hard man to read, and nothing was more obvious than the source of Cliff’s happiness. It was his wife Barb, and his children: Nancy, Dan, Susan, Jennifer and Trish, along with his several grandchildren.
Cliff was my “Best Man”, in more ways than at my wedding however, like all large stubborn Irish families, we had our disagreements, some unpleasant, but none worry of unforgiveness.
Rest in peace Bro, and may your memory be a blessing.
Happy to Meet; Sorry to Part; Happy to Meet Again.
-Bill Beagan
My deepest condolences to the entire family. Cliff was an amazing person and touched so many lives. May his memory live on in others and may the happy memories bring some comfort.
-Shannon Harris
Dear Barb and family. This was a great shock hearing about Cliff’s death in Church this a.m. Our hearts go out to you. We will pray for you as we loved our Cliff – a great Victory School attendee and just a wonderful man. Ivan and Carol Ann Nicksy
-Ivan and Carol Ann Nicksy
I attended PSHS with Cliff as an adult and shared many fun filled moments with him in class. He knew everything about everything and we all loved to listen to him tell his stories. He will be missed greatly by those of us who had the privilege of calling him a friend. My deepest condolences to all of his family.
-Christine Ormiston
Heartfelt condolences to the family and much love and respect for the stories and memories Cliff shared and the passion he had for Parry Sound. He will be missed but never forgotten.
-Chris McDonald
Condolences to the Beagan Family from another old Parry Sound family—the Richmonds. Victory School figured prominently in their lives ( Harry Tait !!) and the stories came back freely and often. Will miss his encyclopedic knowledge and memory. The Richmonds
-kathryn Loch
My condolences Jennifer to you and your family. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
-Sharon Calow
Barb and family,
So sorry to hear of the passing of Cliff. He and Jim sure had lots of tales to tell about Victory School.
-Roberta Leslie Healey
So sorry to read of Cliff’s passing. He served the Town well. He will be missed by many. I want you all to know that my thoughts are with you.
Gord. Dickie
-Gordon Dickie
43 years ago when Killbear Park Mall first opened for business, Georgian Bay Creamery was our primary dairy supplier.
That’s how I met Cliff.
I continue to this day to have great memories of him.
On one occasion, we discovered, at the start of a busy summer weekend, that we were out of eggs.
Although The Creamery was closed, Cliff loaded up his car with our egg order and drove it out to Killbear.
The community has lost a fine person.
-Steve Crookshank
My condolences Dan to you and your family. Thinking of you at this difficult time.
-Mark Cameron
I am so sorry to hear of Cliff’s passing. He was such a warm person, always happy to see you and ready for a chat. He loved telling me about how chatty I was at the age of two when he was building his boat in our garage many many years ago. He will be much missed by so many but all these happy memories will live on in each of us.
-Nancy Strickland
Cliff was such a character! We served on Council together for 9 years & during that time he would routinely tell me (publicly) my facts were wrong & he didn’t believe me – but the next day I would receive an apology & a bouquet of flowers. It was hard not to like Cliff, & I miss the hugs we would exchange when we met by chance in the years following. Our kids attended school at the same time & Barb was always as reliably friendly as Cliff. I shall certainly miss him. A great guy!
-Nancy Cunningham
I have so many memories with Cliff, beginning at my 1st job, at the Creamery. His warmth, curiosity and connection are not taken for granted. Truly a great human, and fantastic story teller. Cliff will truly be missed in this Town. Sincerest condolences to you Barb and the family
-Lisa Gregory
Our deepest condolences to Barb and the family. Cliff was a good man and will be missed by many. He really knew lots of the history of Parry Sound.
-Fred Crawford
I was so fortunate to meet Cliff through my council years in Foley. We were newcomers to Parry Sound, 1968 , and he filled me in with a lot of Parry Sound History . Was a delight to meet him and Barb in town on our shopping trips on later years ! Our deepest condolences to the family.
-Ben Pelkinen
My condolences to Cliff’s family. Cliff was a great friend. I always enjoyed having a conversation with him about everything and anything related to Parry Sound. He was very perceptive and enjoyed sharing his thoughts and ideas. He had a social conscience and truly wanted the best for our community and the people who live here. His friendship is full of fond memories. Bless you Cliff… and thanks for the memories all the support you have given me over the years.
Ray Pavlove
-Ray Pavlove
Sending my condolences to Barb and your family. Your family were among the first that we met when we moved to Parry Sound. I have fond memories of our times on Miller St. and later of friendly chats on the fitness trail.
-Margaret Boyd
Such a nice man. Condolences to his family. He will be missed.
-Cindy Profit
I am saddened by the passing of my first hockey coach. “Mr. Beagan” coached us as the Rotary Atoms from 1973 to 1975 seasons. We were zone finalists and Georgian Bay champs a couple of those years. Mr. Beagan also became a brother later in life when he participated in the initiation of my Masonic journey. Fraternally grateful, Rob
-Robert Baskey
Am in Africa learning of this news. Cliff was a wonderful human being with time for everyone and a story for many. A great debater, never shy of technology or politics and never shy to make his take known and supported with evidence. Loved meeting him from time to time in later life and always remember Creamery interactions and his presence in the arena with Danny supporting his son and everyone else’s in the town. Gods speed Cliff.
-Dave Welling
Uncle Cliff was a dear uncle to me. I loved his stories, his smile, and his laugh. He saw things clearly and gave good practical advice. I can understand why he was a good town counsellor. One of the best pieces of advice Uncle Cliff gave me was at the beginning of Covid-19. He advised not to stock up 2 weeks in advance, but for a month. I’m glad I did. With love and prayers for all those Uncle Cliff loved, and all those who loved him. (niece Carolyn).
-Carolyn Beagan
It was a pleasure being your father’s neighbour. He had many interesting stories to tell no matter what the season was. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.
-PATI FARRIS and Kirk Murney
I am so sorry to hear of Clifford’s passing. He was a life long friend of our mother Frances Cooper (nee Paquette) deceased in 2020. Mom told us many stories of her and Cliff growing up together on Redwood Dr. On behalf of the Cooper family please accept our deepest condolences.
Doug Cooper
-Doug Cooper
My deepest condolences on the passing of “Cliffy Beagan” as my mother, “Franny”Cooper (née Paquette) always referred to him fondly often in her stories from growing up on Redwood Drive across the road from the Beagan family. They seemed to have such a great time growing up in Parry Sound…so many stories and amazing friendships which lasted throughout their lives. Cliff came to Mom’s funeral in 2020 and Dad’s in 2017. He never forgot old friends and was full of stories and grace. He touched many lives and was a real gem.
-May Anne Eppel
I’m so sorry to hear of Cliff’s passing. He was a pillar of the community and a guide to so many of us growing up. As this generation passes, we lose an important legacy, but they won’t be forgotten.
-Steve Foley
2023
Death notice for the town of: Parry-Sound, Province: Ontario
death notice CLIFFORD BEAGAN 2023
obituaries notice CLIFFORD BEAGAN 2023
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of CLIFFORD BEAGAN 2023 and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.