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1927 ~ 2020
Shediac, NB — Adrien Surette, 93, passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at the Villa Providence in Shediac on September 1st, 2020, of natural causes, which is probably not the way he would have liked to go out, because it doesn’t make for the best story. Or does it? He had been wanting to get out and see his friends for many months, and passing away may quite simply have been his way of finally making that happen, because of course, he outlived many of them. Alternatively, his passing may have been his final response to the year 2020, or to the fact that New Brunswick was having another election. We can’t be sure, but his death caught everyone by surprise, and we are left to speculate about his last musings.
Born in Moncton in 1927, he was the son of the late Edgar and the late Nélida Surette (born McLaughlin).
Adrien will be dearly missed by his daughter, Susan Surette of Shediac; his granddaughters, Jennifer Houle (Tyler MacKay) of Hanwell, N.B, and Kristen Woodgate (Johnny) of Fredericton, N.B; along with his great-grandchildren, Dashiell and Findlay MacKay, who brought incredible joy to his final years. He will also be missed by his brother, Georges Surette (Jeanne); numerous nieces and nephews; and too many friends to name, although he could have named them all, and also told you who they were related to going back several generations.
Besides his parents, Adrien was predeceased by his wife, Sheila (June 2008), and his sister, Marie-Paule Daigle (Montreal).
A graduate of St. Francis Xavier and Dalhousie universities, Adrien made his home in Shediac, where he owned and operated La Pharmacie Surette, or Surette’s Drug, for close to thirty years between the 1950s and 1980s. During this time, he worked for numerous community organizations, and was recognized for his philanthropy and generosity, receiving the Rotary Club’s Paul Harris award and a spot on Shediac’s Wall of Fame, as two examples. He worked behind-the-scenes on several political campaigns, and tirelessly raised funds for charitable organizations, particularly the Vestiaire St. Joseph through an annual fundraising party, long after he retired.
He was part of the town’s fabric, and when asked if there was anywhere, he would rather live, the answer was always no. He will be deeply missed, and Shediac will never be quite the same.
Visitation will be held at Passage Funeral Chapel in Shediac Bridge on Sunday, September 6th, 2020 from 2pm until 4pm and from 7pm until 9pm. Note that there will be no visitation the day of the Funeral. The Funeral service will be held at St-Joseph RC Church in Shediac on Monday, September 7th, 2020 at 1pm.
Everyone attending the visitation and the Funeral service will be mandated to wear a face mask. Please bring your own.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Villa Providence and the staff of the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont UHC for the care and support provided to Adrien in his last months. A special thank you also goes out to Brian’s Taxi service and the Royal Canadian Legion in Shediac for giving such great support to him in his last years.
In memory of Adrien, a donation can be made to the Vestiaire St. Joseph in Shediac or the Royal Canadian Legion, Shediac Branch.
The family invites you to sign an online book of condolences at: www.funerairepassagefuneral.ca.
Funeral arrangements under the professional care of
Passage Funeral Co-operative and Cremation Centre
3754, Route 134, Shediac Bridge, NB, E4R 1T3
Tel: (506) 532-1050
