Roger E. Gagnon, 91, a native and lifelong Nashua resident, passed away, Sunday afternoon, January 24, 2021 at the Courville at Nashua, after a brief period of declining health.
One of thirteen children, Roger was born on January 14, 1930, a son of the late Alphonse and Maria (Gendron) Gagnon. He grew up in the French Hill neighborhood and attended the former St. Francis Xavier School. An Army veteran, Mr. Gagnon served during the Korean War and held the rank of Staff Sergeant.
After his military service, Roger was employed as a millwright at Nashua Corporation for 38 years, retiring in 1992.
He was devoted to his family, loved cruising to the Caribbean and vacationing at Lake Winnipesaukee. Roger enjoyed watching Westerns on television, gardening and woodworking where he built birdhouses and wishing wells.
Roger married Joan B. Desclos of Nashua in May of 1955 and they shared 58 years together until her passing on September 22, 2013.
Members of his family include his five children and their spouses, Steven and Theresa Gagnon, James and Mary Ellen Gagnon all of Nashua, William and Tracey Gagnon of Merrimack, Daniel and Brenda Gagnon of Nashua, and Lisa (Gagnon) and Matthew Willauer of Colchester, CT; 20 grandchildren, Erik Gagnon and his wife Martha of Merrimack, Matthew Gagnon and his wife Kerrie of Nashua, Jenalee Gagnon and her significant other Christopher Fraulo of Middletown, CT, Kali Roy and her husband Ryan of Concord, NH, Steffanie Timpson and her significant other Brendan Sullivan of Nashua, Sara Hoagland and her husband Joshua of Nashua, Scott Burns and his wife Elizabeth of Bunnlevel, NC, Kyle Gagnon of Great Falls, MT, Joel Gagnon and his wife Natasha of Nashua, Nicholas and Holly Gagnon of Merrimack, Jesse and Alicia Gagnon of Nashua, Jaclyn, Tom, Rachel and Cassidy LaSaracina, and Timothy, Abigail and Samantha Willauer all of Colchester, CT; fifteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Jeannine Michaud of Hudson; also many nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his wife and parents, Roger was predeceased by eleven brothers and sisters.
There are no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Christopher Church, 62 Manchester Street, Nashua, Monday, February 1st at 11 a.m. Interment will follow in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery. Family and friends will gather at the church. Donations may be made in his memory to Home, Health & Hospice Care, 7 Executive Park Drive, Merrimack, NH 03054.
Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. www.farwellfuneralservice.com
