Remembering Clifford Beagan

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.

Clifford 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, Clifford was known as one of Parry Sound’s historians. Clifford 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.

Clifford 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.

Clifford's 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 hometown.

Never one to shy away from change or controversy, Clifford 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.

Clifford 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.

Clifford 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 Clifford's 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.