Born on June 22, 1917, Fernand Gougeon was the third of 7 children of Edouard and Alma (Lajoie) Gougeon, who were both from Maskinonge, Quebec. In 1918 (at only age 1) his family, including the oldest 3 children, moved to Westlock AB. After a few more moves – to Morinville, and in 1925 to Vimy, the family settled north of Girouxville AB where Edouard took a homestead (NE 3-74-22-5), in 1927. They built their first new home, a log shack. Since there was no school in the area, the oldest children attended a convent in Falher until a new school, “Gougeon School” was opened close to home. In the meantime, the other siblings were born; in all they were: Alberic, Lorette, Fernand, Juliette, Rosee, Therese, and Paul. Their mother, Alma, died in 1937, leaving the older children to do farm chores and help raising the young one. As a teen and young man, Fernand and his brother Alberic farmed land at the Smoky (NE 3-79-22-5). Then came WW II. Shortly after the war, Fernand married Marie-Ann Roberge in 1947. They had 3 children: Philippe in 1947, Helene 1949, and Leo 1952. (The father, Edouard, died in 1957.) At some time they moved to Vancouver BC where Fernand worked in a sawmill for many years. Fernand died on May 17, 1976.
Source: Reflexions Vol. 3 p. 596-597; Photo of Fernand and siblings p. 597; Vol. 1 pp. 81-82