Claude Henri Bégin

It is with great sadness that the family of Claude Henri Bégin announces his passing, on November 13, 2022, following a lengthy battle with Parkinson's Disease.

Claude was born on May 20, 1939, in Saint Ludger, Quebec, Canada, to Jean-Baptiste Bégin and Corinne Labbe. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Claude is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Lucia; daughters, Yvette Freeman (Patrick) and Claudia Rader (Bryan); grandchildren, Brittany Smith (Dan), Patrick Freeman, Jr. (Elise), Timothy Freeman (Lianne), Molly Roberts, Isabel, Daniel, Maria and Juliana Freeman; great-grandchildren, Chiara and Patrick Freeman III, Liam Smith, and Alayah and Juwan Ross; his brothers,Jean-Luc (Jeannie), Gaetan (Nicole), Noel (Daiva), Vic (Doris), Ron (Susan), Laval, and sisters, Diane Hirtle, Andrée Bégin, and Ginette Baxley (Dennis).

To escape the cold Canadian winters, Claude came to Florida with his brother Noel in 1962 and shortly thereafter met the love of his life, Lucia Brignardello. He worked tirelessly to build a better life for his family and encouraged his siblings and father to join him in Florida, where he worked as a cabinet maker.  He developed what began as a three-man operation into a successful business, Modernage Kitchens, Inc., employing over 200 team members. Several of his siblings and his father worked with him over the years. In addition, he worked in real estate and construction and owned/operated rental properties. He was a hard worker, an entrepreneur, and was known for giving a 'second chance' to many whom others had given up on. He had high expectations and a huge heart. He was truly a servant leader. He retired from the Johnson Group at the age of seventy.

Besides work, Claude enjoyed life with his family, reading, boating, and flying. He earned his private pilot license with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He loved to travel; highlights included Germany, Italy, Israel, and Chile - from the Atacama Desert to Antarctica and Easter Island. He also enjoyed traveling throughout the US, the country for which he was so proud to be a citizen.

Claude was the ever-faithful optimist. He never complained and kept that twinkle in his eyes.  Even in his final days, when asked how he was doing, he would reply "Better than I deserve." Our world will never be the same, he leaves a beautiful legacy.

A Requiem Mass will be offered at 11:00am on Monday, December 12 at St. Brendan Catholic Church, 1000 Ocean Shore Boulevard, Ormond Beach, FL 32176. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to either Halifax Hospice,3800 Woodbriar Trail, Port Orange, FL 32129 or the Parkinson Association of Greater Daytona Beach, PO Box 4193, Ormond Beach, FL 32175-4193.