Paul Lagroix

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Paul Alexander Lagroix 1975 - 2026

Paul was born in Mississauga on September 19, 1975. He was the youngest of four children and the only beloved son of parents Earl and Deanna Lagroix. His parents were sure he was going to be another girl so they had to scramble to come up with a name once it was pronounced that the baby was a boy.

At least one of his older sisters wasn’t sure that having a baby brother made her life better. But with no return policy he became a brother for keeps to all of his sisters. He tolerated being dragged around like a doll and dressed up in costumes and he loved to make them laugh. Being the youngest, Paul had it much easier than his sisters. While he did have a paper route like his sisters, by the time he was old enough for chores the family had purchased a dishwasher.

In 1980 the family relocated to Oshawa, Ontario where Paul started kindergarten. On the first day of kindergarten Paul met Mike Arbour. Paul and Mike vowed to be friends forever and to live beside each other when they grew up. They never lived beside each other but they remained the best of friends until the end, picking up the rest of the “band of brothers” along the way - Dave Arbour, Simon Mahoney, Sean Cook, Colin Sauve, Rob Gall, Marcus Olson, Steve Sarjeant and Tom Drynan.

Paul attended the University of Waterloo and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. While Paul did well in university, he did not win any academic awards. However, he assured his mother that he was a much better-rounded human being than the top students in his class. While at university, Paul lived for a time with his sister Laurie in Waterloo. Like her mother before her, Laurie spent many mornings trying to scrub baked on cheese from her cookie sheets after Paul had prepared his culinary specialty, baked nachos with shredded cheddar cheese, the night before.

Following his graduation from university, Paul joined Sandalwood Engineering & Ergonomics, an engineering professional services firm based in Michigan, where he worked for 27 years. Sandalwood described Paul as “an exceptional leader, mentor and colleague”. He was diligent, hardworking and cared a great deal about his colleagues and his work. Paul’s family is grateful for the support that Sandalwood provided during Paul’s illness, allowing him to work around his treatments and contribute what he could right up until the end.

While living and working in Windsor, Ontario, Paul met Jennifer, the love of his life, while out with mutual friends one evening. Paul and Jennifer shared a sense of humour, a love of musical theatre, a love of travel, strong family relationships and common goals. In 2008 they married twice, once in Jamaica and then again in a church in Brampton, Ontario, where they settled after their marriage. Paul, being very financially responsible, later admitted he hadn’t fully thought through the financial implications of having two weddings!

In 2009 and 2012, Paul and Jennifer welcomed their beloved daughters, Addison and Mackenzie. Paul could not have been prouder to be a dad to his two girls. He supported them in all of their endeavors, particularly their involvement in dance with the Joanne Chapman School of Dance. Through dance, Paul formed strong friendships with the other “dance dads” including Ali Kheder and Mike Barbuto. He enthusiastically did all of the things that dance dads were supposed to do but for some reason he loathed working his turn at the regular bingo fundraiser.

Jennifer’s family has a great love of all things Disney World and Paul’s wedding vows may have included words to the effect that he promised to take regular trips to Disney World with Jennifer, his children and his in-laws. Disney may not have been his first choice of travel destination but being there with the people he loved made it a place filled with some of their happiest family memories.

Paul was a lifelong sports fan and, like a true fan, he never gave up hope cheering for his Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Blue Jays and Detroit Lions. He also enjoyed golf trips with his best buddies, Shawn Bell and the neighbourhood dads and an occasional round with family.

Paul is survived by his wife Jennifer Page, his daughters Addison and Mackenzie Lagroix, his mother Deanna Lagroix, his sisters Kathryn Lagroix, Laurie Nietsch (Ginner) and Melanie Talbot (Mark), his parents-in-law Ian and Teresa Page, his brother-in-law Stace Page (Jill), nephews Reid, Spencer, Jack and Evan and extended family across Canada and England.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to Colorectal Cancer Canada (www.colorectalcancercanada.com) or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation to be held at Ward Funeral Home, 52 Main Street South, Brampton on Friday, September 4, between 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Celebration of Life to be held on Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 AM at North Bramalea United Church, 363 Howden Boulevard, Brampton with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Colorectal Cancer Canada or a charity of choice would be appreciated.

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