LEWISTON – Joseph Raymond Gagne, 68, of Auburn, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Feb. 10, at St.. Mary’s Hospital surrounded by most of his family.

He was born in Lewiston on Dec. 15, 1938, to the late Alfred and Irene Champagne Gagne.

His military life began in 1957 as a member of the local National Guard.

He then went on to active duty, became a helicopter pilot and served two tours of duty in Vietnam. He retired after 24 years of service in the U.S. Army as a CW 4.

He was a civilian test pilot for the Black Hawk helicopter in Germany for four years, then a technical advisor for Sykorsky in Morocco for two years.

He was very active in his parish, St. Philip’s of Auburn, the Catholic Charities of Maine and the relocation of refugees, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus Andy Valley Council No. 8742.

He is survived by his wife, Jo An Barr Gagne of Auburn; their children, Roland and wife, Ellen, of Yucca Valley, Calif.; Antonio of Lewiston, Jean Paul and wife, Peggy, of Lewiston, Dale and wife, Melissa, of Alex City, Ala., Phil of Auburn, and Bill and his mate, Denise Dubovy, of Auburn; his stepchildren, Harry Pham of Connecticut, Eddie of California, Michael Tocci and his mate Stephanie of Connecticut, Lisa Tocci of Connecticut, and Shirley and husband, Earl Van Noy, of Alabama; 17 grandchildren; a great granddaughter; a brother, Roger and his mate, Malika Lemyasser of Lewiston; sisters, Yvette and husband, Paul LaChapelle, of Lewiston, Rose and husband, John Rogalla, of Illinois; and a brother-in-law, Richard Caron of New Hampshire.

He was predeceased by his former wife, Be Tocci Gagne; and a sister, Aline Caron.