MAURICE R. CASGRAIN
April 1, 1924 – February 28, 2018
Maurice passed away peacefully surrounded by family at Pineview Terrace Care Home on February 28, 2018. Maurice was born on April 1, 1924 in Prince Albert, SK and attended St. Paul School and P.A.C.I. In the spring of 1945, he received his Bachelor of Accounting degree from the University of Saskatchewan and immediately joined the army. After a short time in Dundurn, he was transferred to Toronto to join the Canadian Army Shows where he and fellow musicians and dancers spent six months putting together a variety show under the direction of Frank Shuster. They went overseas just as the war ended and played concerts for the soldiers in England, Holland and Germany during repatriation. After returning to Canada in October 1946, Maurice began working at Codville Wholesale Co. as credit manager. In 1966 he began his career as accountant at Victoria Hospital, where he remained until his retirement in 1989. In 1950 Maurice married Yvonne Sergent and raised their two sons, Raymond and Robert in a busy and happy home, where the piano and organ were seldom quiet. Since childhood, music remained central throughout Maurice’s life. He began playing the piano at age three and continued sharing his musical talent in the city he loved up until a few months before his passing. Maurice became organist at the Sacred Heart Cathedral at the age of 15 and held that position until 2011. He was also organist at the penitentiary for 62 years and pianist for the Rotary Club for over 60 years. Maurice started his own dance band in high school and played for dances on weekends until the early 1960’s. He was involved in numerous community events and celebrations, playing for nurses graduations, banquets, ACT Amateur Hours, AA Roundups, and CKBI Radio and Television broadcasts, including 25 years of ‘Christmas Time’ shows with J.J. Cennon. For many years he entertained at the Winter Festival, Carol Festival, Watsonairs concerts, countless fundraising events, funerals and weddings. In the last few years, Maurice enjoyed volunteering in the community, playing ‘old time’ music and accompanying ‘sing alongs’ in the various local nursing homes. He loved to bring a smile to someone’s face with a familiar tune or a catchy rhythm. Maurice could not imagine living anywhere other than Prince Albert and seldom said no when called upon for musical entertainment. He was thrilled to be named Prince Albert Citizen of the Year in 2001, and in 2006 he was awarded the Benemerenti Medal from Pope Benedict XVI for outstanding service and dedication to the church. Both Yvonne and Maurice travelled the world on several tours through Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Maurice was an avid tennis player up until his mid-70’s and also loved table tennis, badminton, bowling and cycling, as well as Canasta and Bridge. Maurice was a gentleman, a loving husband, and a wonderful father, who worked hard and loved his community. He will be dearly missed by his loving family and friends. Maurice is survived by his son, Robert (Bob); his nephews, Richard (Lydia) Dansereau, Bob (Carol) Dansereau, Marc Dansereau, Pat (Elena) Dansereau, Robert (Helen) Sergent, Marcel (Elaine) Sergent, Paul (Lorraine) Sergent, and Maurice (Eunice) Sergent; and his niece, Lise (Don) McKenna. He was predeceased by his parents Jules and Sarah (nee: de Lorrimier) Casgrain; his loving wife of 59 years, Yvonne; his son, Raymond; his infant brother, Jules; his sister, Marcelle Dansereau and brother-in-law, Marcel Dansereau; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Leon and Hermance Sergent; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Robert Sergent and Orpha Sergent; and his nephew, Victor (Reta) Sergent. It is the family’s request that those wishing to make memorial donations in Maurice’s name may do so to the Victoria Hospital Foundation, 1200 24th Street West, Prince Albert, SK, S6V 5T4 or the Sacred Heart Cathedral Renovation Fund, 1401 4th Avenue West, Prince Albert, SK, S6V 5H1. Maurice’s funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Sacred Heart Cathedral, celebrant Father Matthew Nguyen. Interment to follow at Prince Albert Memorial Gardens. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of River Park Funeral Home, Donald M. Moriarty, Funeral Director.