Lawrence M. Gagnon

 

1924 – 2018

 

FARMINGTON – Lawrence M. Gagnon, 94, of Farmington and formerly of Jay, passed away Nov. 24, 2018 at Orchard Park Assisted Living Center in Farmington. Lawrence was born in Chisholm, Maine on Sept. 26, 1924, to Gustave Gagnon and the former Maude Gallant from New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, Canada, respectively; they immigrated to the United States in 1912. He attended Jay public schools, and went to work at the Otis Paper Mill in Chisholm before being drafted in the U.S. Army on August 29, 1943. He reported to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where he trained and was assigned to the 106th Division. In March 1944, he participated in Second Army Maneuver in Tennessee and arrived in England on November 17, 1944, where he volunteered for Jump School with the 82nd Airborne Division in Quon, Leicester, England.  After he completed training, he flew to the encampment of the 505 Parachute Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division in Camp Suippes, France.  On December 17, he was reassigned to the communications section of HQ, Co. of HQ of 505 Parachute Regiment.  He participated in the Battle of the Bulge from December to February, 1945. He also received the following awards; Combat Infantry Badge, Paratroopers Medal, Belgiam Fourragere, Battlestars, Rhineland Central Europe, 82nd Airborne 5052 Regt and the European Theatre Operations. On September 5, 1948, he married the love of his life, Doris Lauzier.  Lawrence and Doris raised five children in their home on Elm Street in Chisholm. Lawrence was a hard-working paper maker who worked over forty-five years at the Otis Mill and Androscoggin Mill in Jay. He picked apples and was a mason tender for many years. He loved water color painting and was a very generous man. He enjoyed sharing his produce with family and friends from his vegetable garden. He enjoyed visiting his family’s native soil at Prince Edward Island and this Father’s fishing village in Four Roads, New Brunswick.  He was a member of the VFW, a communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church in Jay, and an avid reader who read the New York Times daily. In 2014 he went to Washington, DC on the Honor’s Flight. He is survived by his daughters; Susan Gagnon of Farmington, Kathleen Jolicoeur and her husband Gerard of Jay, Jane Gagnon of St Louis, MO and Laurie Anderson of Gastonia, NC, his grandchildren; Amy Hewitt, Carrie Hathaway, Nathan James, Hannah James, Kelly Ryder and Sarah Presby, 9 great grandchildren, his sister, Theresa Henry of Augusta and his brother Richard Gagnon and his wife Pam of Watertown, MA,. He was predeceased by his parents, his wife Doris in 2006, his son, James Gagnon on December 15, 2015, brothers; Phillip, Daniel, Peter and Amos Gagnon and sisters; Ella Gagnon and Margaret Panera. Lawrence’s family would like to thank the staff at Orchard Park Assisted Living Center for their wonderful care. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11AM, Thursday, November 29th at St. Rose of Lima Church, 1 Church Street, Jay, Maine. Visitation will be from 4-6PM on Wednesday, November 28th at FINLEY FUNERAL HOME, 15 Church Street, Livermore Falls, Maine. Interment with full military honors will be held in the spring at Holy Cross Cemetery, 445 Park Street, Livermore Falls, Maine.

If desired contributions can be made in his memory to

Tri Country Ministerial Association Food Cupboard

PO Box 314

Livermore Falls, ME 04254