Obituary - Darby Gagnon
Darby Gagnon
1965 - 2025
October 13, 1965 – September 26, 2025
With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Darby Paul Gagnon, a beloved husband, father, brother, uncle, and friend, who left us peacefully on September 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
Darby will be forever cherished by his wife, Laurie; son, Tyler (Sophie); daughter, Teneal (Jackson); sister, Carmen as well as many dear friends and extended family who respected and loved him deeply. He is predeceased by his parents, Paul and Ella Gagnon and Laurie's parents, Jerry and Mary Hager.
Born and raised in Medicine Hat, Darby lived a life of integrity, generosity, humility and gentle wisdom. Darby earned his diploma in Business Administration from the Medicine Hat College. He began his working life as a clerk at the local Co-op, where he met Laurie while she worked in the bakery. A promotion to grocery manager took them to Killam and Spruce Grove before he joined Dare Foods and eventually returned home to Medicine Hat in 1991. Darby continued with Dare Foods until moving to Kraft Foods and Mondelēz International, where he became affectionately known as “the cookie man," admired for his dedication, strong work ethic and the guidance so many sought from him. Friends and colleagues remember his quick wit, quiet strength and the respect he earned simply by the way he treated others.
Darby and Laurie were married in October 1988. Darby’s heart always belonged to his family; Laurie, Tyler and Teneal were his pride and joy, the reason behind every decision and the source of his greatest happiness. He cherished golfing with family and friends, biking the trails in Elkwater, cooking memorable meals and taking long walks among the trees, especially with the family dog, Cargo. He also loved cheering on his children in their sports and activities, taking as much pride in their efforts as they did. He took equal pride in his lush, well-kept lawn—a quiet reflection of the attention and love he gave to everything and everyone around him. A devoted Edmonton Oilers fan from day one, Darby rarely missed a game and loved sharing that passion with family and friends.
He also had a lifelong love of baseball, playing avidly from a young age and remembered by many as “the stolen base thief.” Some of his fondest memories were traveling to British Columbia for Youth Nationals, as well as the many years he and Laurie spent playing slowpitch with family and friends, which always held a special place in his heart.
“Life is short—love life and those around you while you can.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to St. Joseph's Home - Carmel Hospice, 156 - 3 Street N.E., Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1; the local Palliative Care Team in gratitude for the compassionate care Darby received.
Vigil Prayers will be recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street SW, Medicine Hat on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 7:00 P.M. The Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Rd S.E., Medicine Hat on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 1:00 P.M. with Father Fernando Genogaling celebrant.
Both Vigil Prayers and the Funeral Mass will be live-streamed. Those who cannot attend but wish to experience the celebrations may visit the Cook Southland Funeral Chapel website and select the View Broadcast button on the homepage at service time.
October 3rd - Vigil Prayers
October 4th - Funeral Mass
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Sandra Blevins:
Sep 29, 2025 at 08:17 PM
Heartfelt sympathy to Laurie and family. So very sorry to hear of Darby's passing. His life was cut short way too soon. Hope you can take some comfort in your special memories.
Arlene Dahl:
Sep 29, 2025 at 09:34 PM
My heart aches for you all. There are no words.! Other than be there for each other.
Elaine and Lyle Stang:
Sep 29, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Laurie, we are thinking of you and your family during this difficult time. Our sincere condolences to all of you.
Ritchie Van Wert:
Sep 30, 2025 at 10:19 AM
So sorry to hear this. My condolences to the Gagnon Family. Darby was a Wonderful Person!!
Anne Westman:
Sep 30, 2025 at 11:33 AM
It is with great sadness to hear of Darby passing. Condolences to his wife, family and sister. I knew of his Grandparents, Parents. His mother and dad were Godparents to my son. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Ken Fleck’s family
Bruce White:
Sep 30, 2025 at 01:15 PM
My sympathies go out to you all on the loss of Darby. I’ve been a coworker of Darby‘s ever since he started with Kraft so many years ago. He was a great comrade. I’ll never forget the day at a national sales meeting we discovered we were born on exactly the same day. I thought it was so neat that we could share that and I always reached out to him on our common birthday. I so enjoyed time with Darby as he was such an honest and kind person and a fantastic sales rep. I would call him up sometimes to talk about work and life and that was always time well spent for me. I’m so sad yet know that he will always be an incredibly treasured member of our team.
My heart goes out to all of you at this difficult time. ❤️
Shirley Gardiner:
Sep 30, 2025 at 01:46 PM
Sincere condolences to Laurie and family with the passing of Darby. He was such a great guy. May your wonderful memories with Darby sustain you in the days to come
Bernice and Cory Fode:
Sep 30, 2025 at 01:52 PM
So saddened to hear of Darby’s passing. We have great memories of him and Laurie during the past when Teneal was playing soccer. Our deepest sympathy goes out to your family.
Ann Marie Kerr:
Sep 30, 2025 at 03:18 PM
My sincere sympathy to you Laurie and your family.
I knew Darby when I also was a store rep for many years. Our paths would cross many times at our regular store calls. Darby would always take the time to say Hi to me or chat a bit. He was a very kind and gentle man, with always a smile.
Kaila Walton:
Sep 30, 2025 at 03:40 PM
Sending all of the love and hugs to the family. Biggest condolences to to all. I was lucky enough to hag out with Darby and Laurie a few times at their place for dinner back when I lived in Medicine Hat. I will cherish those evenings forever.
Tim & Leslie Rapuano:
Sep 30, 2025 at 05:38 PM
Dear Laurie, Tyler, Teneal and families. We are so sorry to learn of the passing of your Darby. Gone way too soon. We are sending you our deepest condolences.
Susan and Terry:
Sep 30, 2025 at 05:57 PM
Deepest sympathy cousin Laurie and family. Cherish the memories.
Love and hugs and prayers.
Steve & Maureen Risling:
Sep 30, 2025 at 09:35 PM
Laurie and Family.
We are so sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
Allan and Marg:
Sep 30, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Tight hugs Laurie and family.
Gail Graham:
Oct 01, 2025 at 09:05 AM
Laurie & family,
We extend our thoughts & prayers to you at the loss of Darby,
Your memories will keep him close & help to comfort you.
Bob & Gail
Natalie Bayford:
Oct 01, 2025 at 10:12 AM
My deepest condolences to the family. I met Darby almost 7 years ago, he was the rep for my employer. He will be missed. My heart is filled with sadness. Rest easy Darby.
Jo Malley:
Oct 01, 2025 at 11:59 AM
My Condolences, Darby was a great person. He always had a smile when auditing Safeway.
He will be missed dearly.
Keri and Trevor Hunphries:
Oct 01, 2025 at 03:28 PM
Laurie and all who are mourning the loss of Darby.
I was saddened to read this, shocked actually. Sending our heartfelt condolences. Darby was one of the first people we met when we moved to Medicine Hat. He was so kind and easy going and welcoming! Many good memories were had while we played ball together on one very ‘special’team….Countless laughs and way too much fun!!! Darby always had a smile!!!
Thinking of you all♥️
Norma & Keith Nash:
Oct 01, 2025 at 09:12 PM
Laurie, Tyler, Teneal,
Wishing you peace, comfort, courage, and lots of love at this time of sorrow.
My mom and dad (Ann & Peter) loved the time you spent in Killam. They so appreciated the kindness and help you and Darby gave them. I was always happy to hear how much love and laughter you brought them. A great legacy.
Hugs to you all now.
Leonard Plouffe:
Oct 01, 2025 at 09:20 PM
So sorry for your loss Laurie and Family
Patti Pancoast:
Oct 02, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Dear Laurie and Family:
Sending my deepest sympathy and prayers for strength and wisdom during this very difficult time.
Patti Pancoast
Linda Crockford:
Oct 02, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Laurie, we are so sorry for your loss. Darby was a wonderful person! Sincere condolences to you and your family.
Vincent Wong:
Oct 02, 2025 at 01:11 PM
My condolence of the passing of Darby... he was a great guy to work with.
Janet Wiebe:
Oct 02, 2025 at 01:30 PM
My heart goes out to all of you in your loss. May time heal your hearts and always celebrate the precious time you had.
Maryetta:
Oct 02, 2025 at 09:01 PM
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family cousin. Much too young! Hugs love and prayers to you all. Love from, Maryetta and Teresa and families 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Bernie and Jacqui:
Oct 02, 2025 at 09:49 PM
Laurie and family
We are so sorry about Darby; it’s so sad. Cherish your memories.
Our thoughts and prayers and love are with you. Take care.
Wayne and Marlene Bodin:
Oct 02, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Our thoughts and prayers go out for you and your family. May special memories remain in your heart forever.
Take care
Elaine & Randy Humphrey:
Oct 03, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Our deepest condolences to your family at this sad time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May all your special memories keep Darby close to your hearts. ❤️🙏
trevor seitz:
Oct 03, 2025 at 01:19 PM
Our condolences to Darby’s family. Great memories from men’s slow pitch league.
Dawn:
Oct 03, 2025 at 04:59 PM
To Teneal’s family,
I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Teneal speaks of her father with such love and it’s clear he was a remarkable presence in your lives. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and wishing you all comfort as you grieve and remember him. With heartfelt sympathy, Dawn Rowan
Rick and Teresa Berry:
Oct 03, 2025 at 08:42 PM
Laurie:
We are so very sorry to hear about your loss. Our hearts go out to you and your family. We hope that the memories of your life together will keep you and your family strong to get you through this next stage. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Michelle Schell:
Oct 04, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Our sincere sympathy to you Laurie, Tyler, Teneal & extended family. May all the special memories you have of your husband, father, brother, uncle help you through this difficult time.
Richard Bergen:
Oct 04, 2025 at 10:59 AM
Darby was by far the one of the nicest humans I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Will always remember all the baseball memories. Deepest condolences
Mark & Tracy Woolf:
Oct 04, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Sending you all strength, love and more hugs during this difficult time. Our thoughts are flooded with nothing but good memories to never be forgotten.
Darrell Jesse:
Oct 04, 2025 at 01:15 PM
I am so sorry to learn of Darby’s passing. I have many fond memories of the Slopitch games played alongside Darby on the old GoldTech teams. We shared so many stories and laughs over those years. I also cherish the many times Darby stopped by during his “cookie stocking” at Boylans on 7th just to chat or share some news. Take care Laurie and family, cherish the memories, Darby will be truly missed. My deepest condolences on your loss.
Carrie Presley:
Oct 04, 2025 at 01:53 PM
My deepest condolences on the sudden loss of Darby - he was a wonderful person and I very much enjoyed working with him. Though I didn't get to know him as well as I would have liked, I appreciated that he was such a warm and grounded person whenever we connected. I know he will be missed as deeply as he was loved. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Carrie Presley
Susan lightbody:
Oct 04, 2025 at 02:13 PM
I'm so sorry to hear of Darby's passing.
He was a great guy and I will miss talking to him.
Chris Lien:
Oct 04, 2025 at 04:06 PM
To Laurie, Tyler, Teneal, Carmen, you are all in my thoughts and prayers. He will be missed by all.
Deepest condolences.
Ken:
Oct 06, 2025 at 01:20 AM
My deepest condolences to Darby's family. May Darby R.I.P. 😔
Donna Kirchner:
Oct 14, 2025 at 07:06 PM
Both Warren and I are saddened to hear of Darby’s passing. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your entire family Laurie. Darby was a kind soul taken far too soon. Sending much love and the biggest hug
Donna and Warren Kirchner
Tony Pilon:
Oct 17, 2025 at 04:40 PM
I was deeply saddened to hear of Darby’s passing. Since our store opened in March, I had the privilege of seeing him every other week, and he made an immediate impression on me. He was so full of life, always encouraging, upbeat, and genuine. I truly looked forward to his visits; he brought such positive energy with him every time he walked through the door.
I can only imagine how incredible he was as a father, partner, and friend. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones. In the short time I knew him, he made my life richer, and I’m certain he did the same for everyone fortunate enough to know him.