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Jeff Chouinard Obituary
Founded Real Cheap Sports In Ventura
Brother Of Patagonia Founder Yvon Chouinard
Thousand Oaks – June 19, 2008
Jeff Chouinard, 84, died in a Thousand Oaks convalescent hospital of heart and kidney failure. He was founder and co-owner of Real Cheap Sports in Ventura. Prior to opening Cheap Sports he worked for his brother Yvon during Patagonia's earliest days and for its predecessor company, Chouinard Equipment. He lived in Simi Valley and Cundy's Harbor, Maine. Gerald Conrad Chouinard was born September 23, 1923, in the mill town of Lisbon, Maine, to parents of French-Canadian descent. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, training as a pilot, which remained a lifelong avocation. In January 1946, from the base in San Diego he mailed his family a box of oranges with a letter encouraging them to move west. By March they had sold their house and auctioned off their furniture. Chouinard obtained leave to fly back and drive them out. The youngest of the Chouinard siblings, Yvon, was seven, and still spoke only French when he started school in Burbank. After his discharge from the Navy Chouinard settled in the San Fernando Valley, near his family. He later lived in Westwood and, for forty years, in the Conejo Valley. From 1950 to 1968, he worked as a private investigator, principally for Howard Hughes. After Hughes's death Chouinard became a source of colorful stories for a succession of Hughes biographers. During the early 1970s Chouinard began to work for his brother (whom he had once employed to guard a boat Hughes wanted to buy). The Chouinard brothers opened Real Cheap Sports in 1981 as an outlet for seconds and overstocks for Patagonia and other manufacturers. In 1991, Chouinard purchased a cottage on the water in Cundy's Harbor, Maine, a 40-minute drive from his childhood home. He spent the warmer half of each year there sailing, entertaining friends and family, and occasionally scheming to get back his pilot's license. He is survived by his former wife June of Simi Valley; sons Stephen, of Fresno and Daniel, San Francisco; daughter Lisa, of Carpinteria; and two granddaughters, Katherine and Renee, of Fresno. He is also survived by two sisters, Rachel Hopkins of Bainbridge Island, Wash., and Doris Blackey, of Thousand Oaks, and by his brother Yvon, of Ventura.
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Memories and Condolences
for Jeff Chouinard
Gill Veilleux
June 15, 2025
Miss you and your stories my friends!
Gill Veilleux
June 15, 2024
I miss your visits to Lisbon and our Friday nights with the Lisbon gang.
Your sense of humor along with the stories of your adventures kept us entertained.
I will never forget the day that you asked me to hide your beautiful Jaquar convertible. Yvon was coming for a visit and you didn't want him to see it.
You picked him up at the airport with your old Subaru wagon.
R.I.P. my friend!
Sherry Voeks Fuller
October 25, 2023
Jeff was a second father to me. His daughter Lisa and I have been friends since we were 8 years old. Jeff and June were the best people and I am extremely honored to have been loved by such beautiful amazing people. Jeff, thank you for everything you did for me. I have such amazing memories of you. I will remember you always and I will always love you. Sherry
Jessica Dube
December 13, 2021
I knew Jeff as my Uncle. He was full of life, had an amazing smile with of voice that grabbed you right away! He was a jokester who shared stories that were almost unbelievable!! But those stories were true. He lived a life people can only dream of. I life full of adventure, love, down to earth realism and his love for women. Miss the times he would land his plane in the front of grams house in Greene, Me. Fold up the wings with a drink in hand after. He was an amazing Uncle! Such a giving man. More than any of you will ever know!! He just absolved people. And loved anyone who would listen to his stories. I write today because I shared our stories/memories with a close friend. You are still on my mind, uncle Jeff!
Frank & (Sparky) DePasquale
July 11, 2008
I only met Jeff a few times in my life; but he left a big impression because
he was my father's (Frank DePasquale) best friend. They met in the Navy and
remained friends over the years. My father always talked about their antics
like climbing a fence to see the Spruce Goose in Long Beach many years before
Jeff worked for Howard Hughes and about the time Jeff took him and my mother
for a wild ride thorugh the Hollywood Bowl in his jeep.
I remember the first
time I met Jeff when I was a young boy. He was working undercover at a hotel
in Westwood. My parents grilled us on not to mention his real name. As soon
as I saw him I shouted out "Hey, there is Uncle Jeff". A few years back I
took him and my parents out to lunch. I hadn't seen him for about 40 years.
He gave me his business card and I think it said he was brain surgeon. What
a guy. We will miss him
Mary Beth Daigneault
June 26, 2008
Jeff was truly a gift! He appreciated beauty, youthfulness, fun and life....lessons we can all learn from his life well lived. His unexpected phone calls to speak to his "favorite cousins" were always a pleasant surprise. I will always be thankful for having known him. Jeff introduced my mother, Lucille, his cousin, to my now step-father, Wes. They enjoyed many years of a happy marriage until she passed away in 2006. Jeff was then so gracious as to allow our family to have a memorial gathering at his home, the location of their first date, in Cundy's Harbor. He also introduced me to my career in gerontology when I spent time with his mother during a summer vacation. I have the feeling that Jeff touched countless lives in ways he never knew. What a loss we all have suffered, God speed cousin!
Dan & Blanche Knaup
June 26, 2008
We were very sorry to hear that Jeff has passed away. We came to know June and Jeff thru the friendship of our sons-Dan & Dan. He will be missed and our prayers are with all his family at this time-especially Jeff's children.
Dan Chouinard
June 26, 2008
So very sad to hear of Jeff's passing. He was a complete gentleman as I recall. We met when his daughter, Lisa and I were at the Defense Language Institute together, she in the Air Force and I in the Army. Jeff was gracious enough to have me down for Thanksgiving. He showed this young Maineac all around LA and some of the spots I really wanted to see. He even made a trip up to Ventura to introduce me to Yvon, with whom I was fasinated with at the time. My deepest sympathies to the family, especially Lisa and Yvon.
Daniel Cailler
June 26, 2008
Too bad about Jeff. He was quite a character - filled with stories about all the players of the golden age of hollywood. He was my late grandmother's cousin and thus I only met him a half dozen times, but every time I was amazed at the stories of the things he had seen and done.
Midge and Hal Buck
June 26, 2008
We are Midge and Hal Buck, Jeff's nextdoor neighbors for many years in Cundy's Harbor. To say we became close friends would be an understatement. We spent a lot of time together. Ate together, at home and around town, sailed togrther, just plain close freinds. Watched his his home when he was away. Opened it up for him and filled his refridgeator for his arrival.
Welcomed him back each spring.
This is a sad spring.
We are now looking forward to seeing Lisa and Dan, and will meet their plane when they arrive in a few weeks. Checked his car, and it is ready for their arrival.
Carole Beaulieu
June 25, 2008
Dear Chouinard family,
I regret that I did not have the honor of meeting Jeff.
As strange as this may seem, Vincent S. contacted me a few days ago via email after the death of his Uncle Jeff as I had posted my name on a website last year to reach French Canadian relatives. He told me that the family this past week was wondering what had happened to their maternal grandparents' side of the family so he did some googling. Well as destiny goes...you have found part of them. My deepest sympathy in your loss and I extend my condolences to all of you from me and my family.
Carole Beaulieu
Irene Dube
June 25, 2008
My favorite cousin,took a lot of walks with him in our old neighborhood Park St. in Lisbon the street we both lived on many years ago I will miss seeing him drive up to our home in Greene, Me. He was the greatest, loved everyone. Love to you Jeff Irene & Moe
Rev. Dan Knaup
June 25, 2008
I am so saddened by Jeff's passing. He was a great man, truly larger-than-life. Growing up with Dan in So. California, I always looked up to Jeff as someone I hoped to emulate someday, as he regaled us with his stories about the war, flying, and Howard Hughes. He was truly a member of this country's "greatest generation." May you be blessed with clear skies and light winds as you make your journey home.
Maitland Stanley
June 25, 2008
A fond farewell to my good friend and former brother-in-law from Stan.
GILL VEILLEUX
June 25, 2008
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Nicole von Gaza-Hansen
June 24, 2008
I guess it has been 30 years since I spent some raucous Holidays at the Chouinard home in T.O. To Dan, my friend with his father's sense of humor and his mother's grace and charm, I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to the entire family. My thoughts are with you.
Bernadette Denis
June 24, 2008
I am so sorry to hear of my cousin. Even though we did not see each other that often, I did enjoy our occasional phone calls to keep in touch.
My love goes out to Rachel, Doris and Yvon as well as to June and his children, Steven, Daniel and Lisa
Love,
Alfonso Pe Benito
June 24, 2008
This is Alfonso Pe Benito. I was the Payroll Administrator and a Company Meeting Performer/MC back in the early 80s.
I remember Jeff being a great inspiration for me with his kind words of acknowledgements when I was an employee at Patagonia.
I'm very sorry to hear of Jeff's passing.
Nancy and I wanted to express our condolences.
Alfonso
Paul Tebbel
June 23, 2008
Twenty-three years ago I ran RCS with Jeff and Tim Coates. It was a great experience and we were very successful. I especially remember Jeff's smile when he was surrounded by about 6 beautiful female sales people - he was a good man, a good friend and great to work with.
Buz Avenue Hardware
June 23, 2008
Our sincere condolences to the Chouinard family for their recent loss of Jeff. From all of us at Avenue Hardware. Buz
Marie Larsen
June 23, 2008
Dan,
So sorry to hear about your father. I was in Washington D.C. last week and saw a Patagonia store and told the people I was with I knew someone who's father was instrumental in the founding of the company. I am sorry for your loss and know how difficult this time is as I lost my father October of 2007. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Marie (Grossi) Larsen
Class of '76
Roger Haynes
June 23, 2008
My condolences to the Chouinard family. I've known Jeff for many years, but it's been many years since I last saw him. My sympathies go out to Lisa and her family.
Roger Haynes
Darla Haynes
Donna MacIntyre
Karen Bednorz
June 22, 2008
I send my most heartfelt condolence's to all of Jeff's Loved ones.
My prayers for Jeff's spirits were made real in preparing photos for his family. As my own father's passing anniversary was within days my heart and mind was filled with sorrow for Jeff's children. It's said the saddest day in man's life is the day he looses his father, just as the saddest day in a women's life is the day she looses her mother. It is surely a profound emptiness to no longer have one's sibling, history and friend.
I didn't know Jeff well, but was fortunate and grateful for an honest tender exchange, making a beautiful difference in my own outlook.
The Love you all have for Jeff, especially his children, is the chariot that carries him into eternity.
From my heart,
karen
Carol Anderson-Brokenrope
June 22, 2008
Our deepest sympathies to your family. The Brokenrope Foundation appreciates Patagonia and what they have accomplished. Sorry to hear of your brothers death.
Ruth Stadnik
June 22, 2008
I remember some pleasant chats with Jeff when I worked for the Chouinards in Ventura in 1983-85. But I didn't realize he was a PI for Hughes during the period my dad was Noah Dietrich's secretary in the 1950's when Hughes and Dietrich, his CEO, parted ways. I'll pass this on to my dad, now 92. I'm sorry to hear of Jeff's passing.
Mike Montemorra
June 22, 2008
During my formidable years, Dan and I shared a lot of laughs and good times. I'm sure he got his sense of humor from his Dad! We will keep the Chouinard family in our thoughts and prayers...
DJ Matchett
June 22, 2008
Wow, I am So sorry for your family's loss...In reading this I undersand now what a powerful and loving man you were...I am a friend of Lisa Chouinard and I truly know what the loss of a Father and Mentor means...To you and your family I will send loving prayers & good thoughts of love to you All...Peace be with you all and stay close together in order to help eachother through this terrible loss...I am truly sorry.
bERTON gRAY
June 21, 2008
you do not know me but your clothes are great and i am sorry to know that you died. i am so very sorry about your death.
Kevin Williams
June 21, 2008
We had a lot of fond memories and adventures at the Chouinard house while in high school during the '70s with Dan and the gang. Thank you Mr. Chouinard for letting us be ourselves and thus helping us be the grown ups we are today!
Rev. Jon F. Majarucon V.F. Pastor
June 21, 2008
Mr. Chouninard was a wonderful person I knew growing up who I will never forget. His son Dan became a great friend and Jeffs passing very much saddens me. Please be assured of my prayers, thoughts and masses offered for Jeff as he goes on to an even "greater adventure".
Jon
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