Henry Gagnon Sr.

Henry Gagnon, 89 Henry Gagnon, Sr. of Cedars Atrium, Portland, died May 31, 2014 at Maine Medical Center following surgery. He was born in Westbrook on June 28th, 1924, the son of Alice (Dostie) and Alfred Gagnon, Sr. He was educated in Westbrook schools and left High School to enter the U.S. Army. He served two tours of duty in Europe, including Africa, Algeria, France, Germany, Italy, and Morocco in the Corps of the Military Police. He married his wife Jeannette Turgeon at Fort Dix, Trenton, NJ upon the return of his second European tour. They were blessed with four children, Susan, Henry Jr., Philip, and Diane. Upon coming home from the War, he worked in the family grocery store and operated his own fuel business. In 1959 Henry formed his Real Estate Brokerage Company, and sold thousands of homes in the greater Portland area. He was affectionately known in the business as â€œMr. Westbrook.â€ He retired in 1986 and his sons took over the business. After his retirement, he and his wife volunteered at the Preble Street Resource Center for several years. He was the past president of the Portland Board of Realtors, and past chairman of the Realtors Multiple Listing Service. He was named â€œRealtor of the Yearâ€ by the membership in 1975. He was past president of the Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club and was honored by the club membership with two Paul Harris fellowships for outstanding efforts and service in raising funds for the Polio Plus Campaign of Rotary to eradicate polio worldwide. He was appointed and served as Police Commissioner of the city of Westbrook under the administration of Mayor Leo C. Lemieux from 1959 to 1961. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the St. John Society. He was predeceased by his wife of 64 years, Jeanette, daughter Susan and foster son Peter Metcalf. He is survived by daughter, Diane A. Leclerc and her husband David of Gorham, and sons G. Henry Gagnon, Jr. and his wife June of Westbrook, and Philip T. Gagnon, Sr. and companion Margaret St. Pierre and Patty of Falmouth. He is also survived by a brother Alfred Gagnon and wife Joan of Scarborough, and by seven grandchildren, Lisa Caristinos, Paula Gowen, Philip Gagnon, Jr., Luke Davis, Amy Early, Nicole Gagnon and Eric Gagnon. He is survived by nine great-grandchildren, Michael and Sarah Gowen, Nik Caristinos, Jeremy, Trevor, Bryce, and Contessa Davis, and Cameron and Philip T. Gagnon III. Following Henryâ€™s wishes, there will be no calling hours or viewing. There will be a family gathering at Blais & Hay Funeral Home Saturday, June 7at 8:30 a.m. and the funeral will be at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius Church, 492 Ocean Ave, Portland. Immediately following the funeral, there will be a celebration of his life which all relatives and friends are invited to attend at the Italian Heritage, 40 Westland Ave, Portland, ME. Donations in his memory, if desired, may be made to the Westbrook Food Pantry, 426 Bridge St. Westbrook 04092 or to the Preble Street Resource Center, 5 Portland Street, Portland 04101. Online condolences may be expressed at blaisandhayfuneralhome.com

Henry Gagnon Sr.

June 28, 1924 - May 31, 2014

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