J-Claude Chouinard

It is with profound sadness that we, the family of Claude Chouinard, announce his passing on his 73rd birthday, February 25, 2023. Claude was the son of the late Élie Chouinard and Thérèse Aumond. Joseph Gerard Jean-Claude was born February 25, 1950 in Québec City, Quebec.

Claude grew up in Quebec and spent 9 years following his musical passion as the lead snare drummer of Les Harmonistes Quebec-Ouest marching band. He left Quebec with the Canadian Navy and sailed for 3 years, landing in Nova Scotia, where the next chapter of his life began. He met the love of his life through church and settled on the Atlantic Coast to pursue his education. Claude was an electronic technician for nearly 25 years, repairing medical equipment all over the world.

Claude was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend. He was heavily involved in the music and youth ministries of his church. He organized and participated in the Think Fast fundraisers, trained and organized altar servers, directed traffic for Sunday school, and delivered the Divine message through song at Mass. His later involvement included more behind the scenes work and tech support at his church for his community.

At home, we called Claude the “father of modification”; a true handyman and a real-life MacGyver, always tinkering and modifying everything around him to create something new or to serve a better purpose. He was the captain of our starship’s bridge, and we trusted every course he plotted, as he gave the command, “Engage”. He was a kind and gentle soul, with a mischievous sense of humor. He marched to the beat of his own drum and moved to the rhythm of his own guitar, with his family singing, playing and dancing by his side.

Claude will always be cherished and never be forgotten. He is survived by his devoted wife Judy of 49 years, his children Scott (Zita), Stephen (Tamara), Marc (Jessica) and Michelle (Pierre), his grandchildren Mickey, Eric, Aidan, Lucas, Ryan, Xander, Joseph, William and Amanda, and sisters Carole and Danielle.

Visitation for family and friends will be Monday, March 6, 2023, 2-4pm and 6-8pm at JA Snows Funeral Home located at 339 Lacewood Drive and Halifax, NS. Claude’s funeral service will be held at St Agnes Roman Catholic Parish, 6903 Mumford Road in Halifax, NS on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at 10am. Interment will follow the service and reception, at the Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 33 Old Sackville RD, Lower Sackville, NS. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Lung Association of Nova Scotia, your local animal shelter or a charity of your choice.