He was born Feb. 2, 1932, in Biddeford, a son of Adolphe and Delvina (Canuel) Gagnon and was educated locally.
He graduated from St. Louis High School in the Class of 1951, then served in the U.S. Coast Guard for three years during the Korean Conflict. Following his service, he studied electronics at Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute for two years.
On April 11, 1955, he married Lorraine P. Nadeau at St. Andre’s Church in Biddeford.
Don worked as a lab technician for General Electric in Somersworth, New Hampshire, retiring in 1992 after 36 years there.
He was a member of the St. Louis Alumni Association, the American Legion (Post 26), and was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus.
In 1969, he was instrumental in the construction of the East Biddeford Little League Field and volunteered as umpire for many years. Don always supported and enjoyed attending the sports and school activities of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, George and Robert Gagnon
Surviving are: Lorraine Gagnon, his wife of 62 years, of Biddeford; two sons, Michael D. Gagnon and his partner and fiancée, Paula, of Yarmouth, and Ronald L. Gagnon and his wife, Doris, of Biddeford; four grandchildren, Sherri Locke and her husband, Mike, of Biddeford, Jamie Gagnon and his wife, Tracy, of Saco, Heather Tellez and her husband, Brandon, of Eagle River, Alaska, and Jennifer Kumin and her husband, Michael, of York; eight great-grandchildren, Chase, Brayden, Nathan, Ryan, Lucas, William, Ryder, and Ophelia; three brothers, Raymond of Saco, Normand of Saco, and Marcel of Old Orchard Beach; two sisters, Muriel Roberge of Biddeford and Georgette Dion of St. George, Quebec; and many nieces and nephews.
There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3, at Most Holy Trinity Church in Saco. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Biddeford.
Arrangements are by Hope Memorial Chapel, 480 Elm St., Biddeford, ME 04005. To share condolences online, please visit HopeMemorial.com.
The family would like to thank the staff at Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough for the exceptional care, love, and compassion given to Don during his stay and for keeping him comfortable until the end of his life. The family cannot thank them enough.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to: Maine Veterans Home, 290 U.S. Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
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