Rick P. Gougeon, beloved husband, dad, papa, and Old Goat, passed away at home on May 13th, 2024 at the age of 73 after being dealt a bad hand (cancer).
His bereaved include his wife of nearly 53 years, Terri, sons Ramie and Kyle (Tammy), daughter Moira (Alex), and treasured collection of perfect grandchildren Brenna (Hunter), Alec, Aidan, Oliver, Abby, and Clara. He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Norma Gougeon of Alpena, Michigan, and brother Brian. He is further survived by his sister Wanda and five brothers, Steve (Allison), Terry (Judy), Jon (Kitty), Marty (Wanda C), and Matt (Jennine).
He leaves behind many friends, former daughters-in-law Amanda and Kim, former son-in-law Ben, and a considerable extended family, including twenty brothers- and sisters-in-law and their many children and grandchildren.
Rick can only be described as a force of nature. The flow of solutions, fixes, remedies, and ideas from Rick’s ceaselessly churning mind made him not one in a million, but one of a kind. He was deeply compelled to improve his world by building communities and encouraging others to care about each other and our imperiled environment. Rick had a well-earned reputation for helping others in a myriad of ways and was greatly respected by those who knew him. To his former colleagues and friends at Craftsman Handmade Homes he was known as “Pancho,” as he was a man for the people. He earned a BA from Michigan State University and an MBA from UNC Charlotte. A jack-of-all-trades and a master of most of them, he had many jobs and careers over the decades. He worked in marketing, retail management and sales, real estate, construction, and started several small businesses, including Little Switzerland Books and Beans. His unique vision and eye for detail are found throughout the shop and in the many houses he built and remodeled across western North Carolina, his adopted home.
In lieu of a ceremony, Rick held a wake with his family in April. Rick asks that you lift the parting glass and celebrate your loved ones while they’re still alive. Send flowers to the living, vote Democrat, and stop using single-use plastics.
The family would like to thank Compassionate Care of Western North Carolina for their kindness and support, especially his primary nurse, Della. We would also like to thank Linda Myers-Reed, PA of Celo Health Center for her guidance and advocacy.
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to our website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Rick Gougeon’s name and then you may sign his guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mr. Gougeon and is honored to be serving the Gougeon family.
Mr. Gougeon’s obituary has also been posted on Facebook for viewing
