BEAUDOIN, Gene Louis Joseph Beaudoin

He  was born on July 17, 1952, to Jules Beaudoin and Vivian O’Neill in Québec City. He passed away peacefully at his home in Kelowna on October 20, 2025, after an eight-month battle with cancer.

Gene is survived by his partner, Gail Dougall, his daughter Allison (son-in-law Adam Haigler); son Jayden; and grandchildren Annalie and Cedar. He is also survived by his in-laws, Ann-Marie and Dan Reimer; Joe and Liz Heemskerk; Cecilia and Rob Vaile; Tom Heemskerk; as well as his 9 nieces, nephews, and their families. He was predeceased by his wife of 27 years, Margaret (Heemskerk) d. 2017; brother Gary, d. 2006; parents Jules and Vivian; and  parents-in-law Leo and Rita Heemskerk.

Gene spent his youth growing up in Québec, often reminiscing about being able to sneak into the Forum to watch NHL games with his brother, Gary. He resided in Surrey for most of his life, where he raised his family until 2012, when Margaret and Gene moved to Kelowna to be closer to Margaret’s aging parents.

Gene was one of a kind and loved to make people laugh. He had a career with PLH Aviation Services at Vancouver Airport, where he met many lifelong friends, and then as a bus driver for Translink, where he would often make his passengers laugh with his many jokes.

He loved music, entertaining a crowd, and was influential to his son, Jayden, in becoming a musician. Up until his final days, Gene and his partner of 7 years, Gail, sang and recorded music together. Some of Gene’s other hobbies included mountain biking, motorbike riding, boating, and he enjoyed spending the last 8 winters in Arizona.

In memory of Gene, donations can be made to the BC Cancer Foundation.