Cadieux, Gaston

SLINGERLANDS- On May 30, 2022, Gus Cadieux, 86, went more fully into what he called the Good, in which we, ourforebearers, and all living things partake, even now. Gus was a man of peace. He consistently stood with the poor and oppressedand against indifference, greed, white supremacy, war, and imperialism.Responding to a call to mission and the Oblates at a young age,Gus later married his beloved Noreen in 1971 and started a family. He continued his direct advocacy for the causes he believed in,protesting against nuclear weapons, the dirty wars in Central America, the Gulf wars, and environmental degradation, as well asserving as a human shield in Nicaragua and Bosnia.He and Noreen founded Blossoms Montessori and together they nurtured the development of countless children. Through the nonprofit he established, Friends of Latin America, then they seeded thousands of educational opportunities for children across the Americas. Gus gathered community wherever he went, with a broad smile, skilled hand, and engaging spirit. We are reminded of Gus’ recent reflection, excerpted below,on thepractice that animated his every decision: active compassion.

“In our tradition we are invited into a relationship with one who cares like an attentive parent and to be transformed by this relationship... growing in compassion for our suffering fellow humans. The compassionate one invites us to be more and more compassionate as years pass. Compassion is not of the intellectual sort, but more a hands-on experience.

The list of persons needing compassion today goes beyond the widow, orphan, and refugee of long-ago Galilee. Just consider today’s homeless, addicted, healthcare deprived, victims of racism, immigrants, bombed, starving and so many, many more.

A life well lived is an open invitation to join in the miracle of compassion.”

Gus is survived by his wife of 51 years Noreen Kerrigan Cadieux, their children Rogean (Jonathan, René, and Lowell), André (Jumana and Ayla), and Martin (Kim), and Noreen’s siblings (Sr. Mary Ellen and Fr. Michael). Gus is predeceased by his loving parents (Ida & George), sister (Lucille), brothers (John, Roger, Francis, Raymond and René), and infant son Juan Felipe.

Gus merged with our sacred earth by private green burial on June 2 at St. Michael’s Meadows, Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, NY. His Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated on Saturday, August 20 at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, South End Site. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make donations to Friends of Latin America, PO Box 421 Slingerlands, NY 12159-0421.