PORTSMOUTH, N.H. — Roland Joseph Gagne Jr., 69, of Waterford, died Thursday, Dec. 15, at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.

He was born at Central Maine Medical Center on Mar. 15, 1942, the son of Roland and Eleanor (Frost) Gagne.

Roland had worked most of his life as a heavy equipment operator. He had lived in the Oxford Hills area for more than 38 years. Roland enjoyed the outdoors, all New England sports teams and watching Westerns and war movies. The things he enjoyed the most were helping others and being with family and friends. He was a very caring, giving person who helped others in need even when he didn’t have it.

His wife, children, and grandchildren were his pride and joy in life. He found great pleasure in cruising around the Oxford Hills where he was fondly known by all as Dad or Papa G. Roland spent most of his years in the excavation industry, where he excelled as a heavy equipment operator and pit boss. He made many, many friends in the excavation business and some became his most beloved to the end.

He is survived by his children, John S. Gagne, Roland L. Gagne, Lisa H. Rideau, Rodney R. Bartlett  and Jo-Ellen A. Strout; brothers, Richard J. Gagne, Raymond J. Gagne and Ronald J. Gagne; grandchildren, Matthew Willard, Brandi Turkewitz, Zoya Burns, Brittany Gagne, Stacia Burns, Haley Rideau, Danielle Gagne, Christian Burns, Joshua Gagne, Elijah Strout, Alexander Bartlett, Jackson Bartlett and Melinda Davis;  great-grandchild, Kamaren Turkewitz; and best friend, Sherwin “Bucky” Buck.

Roland was predeceased by his wife, Portia Ellen Gagne (Cushman), in 2008; a brother; Robert J. Gagne; a sister, Carolyn Sewyer; and a granddaughter, Mirranda Gagne.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.oxfordhillsfuneralservices.com.