Bruce U. Gagnon

STANDISH - After a courageous battle with ALS, our beloved husband, father, pa, and friend Bruce U. Gagnon, 65, passed away surrounded by his family at home Monday, November 14, 2016. Bruce was born on January 1, 1951, to the late Ruth Widger Gagnon and Urban Arthur Gagnon. He grew up in South Windham where he explored, rode bikes, enjoyed hunting and fishing. He went to local Windham Schools and graduated in the class of 1969 from Windham High School. Bruce attended SMCC and graduated with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. He married his high school sweetheart, Earlene Proulx, in 1971 and was happily married for 45 years. Bruce Gagnon worked for the landmark mill, S.D. Warren (Sappi), in Westbrook, ME for 39 years and retired this past January, 2016. He loved his job and coworkers, made the best of every single day. Through his job, he found a dear friend, Joanne Libby, they were inseparable and shared many fun times as coworkers and amazing friends. They shared a long time joke...One would say, “I would give you my left arm” and the other piped in, “I would give you my right.” Bruce loved to cook, especially for co-workers, friends and family. He was known for his homemade clam cakes, ‘Cranks’, turkey jerky (Pa’s Bacon), fine selection of smoked meats and sipping on some good bourbon. He will always be a legacy in the kitchen to those who knew him! Bruce became a dad to twin girls Heather and Heidi in 1973 and then to his son, Todd in 1974, from that moment on Bruce and Earlene became dedicated and loving parents. In 1985 Bruce and family moved into the house Earlene had been raised in, and still reside. The backyard became “party central” and many wonderful cookouts and great memories were made. Bruce took great pride in entertaining and hosting for friends and family. He would stand at the grill all day, his greatest reward was seeing the smiles on the faces of his full bellied guests. Bruce had a quote that most friends were familiar with, “If you leave hungry then it’s your own fault.” People rarely did. In 2007 Bruce took a chance and bought the family camp. After eight long years of demolition and rebuilding it was finally done. Bruce had dreams of fishing and hunting and spending the summers there. Tragedy struck with the diagnosis of ALS. His times at camp were precious and few. Nothing made him happier than being at camp with family. Bruce is survived by his loving wife and best friend Earlene, two daughters; Heather Delcourt, Heidi McGouldrick and husband Phil; son, Todd and his wife Barbara and a son in law Michael Delcourt; grandchildren, Lauren, Lindsey, and Lexie Delcourt, Zachery and Grace McGouldrick, Carter and Nathan Gagnon; siblings, Cheryl Atherton and Mark Gagnon; two sister in laws, Brenda Proulx and Robin Proulx as well as several nieces and nephews. An expression of thanks and great appreciation for Bruce’s in home care providers, Bruce loved their visits and their compassionate care. We would also like to thank Hospice of Southern Maine. The level of care and empathy these folks had for Bruce and family will always be remembered. A special thanks to his nurse Lisa and his aide Lynn, the two of you are the definition of true tender loving care. A memorial visitation will be held on Friday, November 18, 2016 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Dolby Funeral Chapel, 434 River Road, Windham, ME 04062. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 10, 2016 at 11:00 am at Dolby Funeral Chapel, South Windham, followed by a Celebration of Life at the Old Robie School Function Hall, 688 Gray Road, Gorham, ME. In lieu of flowers a donation may be made to Hospice of Southern Maine, 180 US Route One, Scarborough, Maine 04074.

Bruce U. Gagnon

January 1, 1951 - November 14, 2016

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