GAGNON, Edgar H., 86, Caribou, Oct. 8, 2016. At the family’s request, there will be no services. Arrangements by Mockler Funeral Home, Caribou.
CARIBOU – Edgar H. Gagnon, 86, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2016 at Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center following a brief illness. Edgar fought a courageous battle against Parkinson disease with great dignity.
Edgar was born January 15, 1930 in Caribou, the son of the late Albert “Bert” and Elizabeth (Byram) Gagnon. He attended and graduated from the Caribou schools, and was married to Theresa (Thibodeau) Gagnon in June of 1948. They enjoyed 65 years of marriage together.
Edgar proudly served his country as a member of the National Guard in the early 1950s. Beginning his career working on the Amos Fletcher farm in Caribou with his father and his brother Leonard, Edgar learned the values and benefits of hard work which he would later instill upon his family. In 1953, Edgar got his start in the automobile business as a salesman working for Abraham Etscovitz at Northern Sales and Service. He rose through the ranks and became general manager before purchasing the business from Mr. Etscovitz in 1980 at the height of a recession. Edgar had been employed in sales and management for 27 years before purchasing the business. He endured the recession and ran a very successful General Motors franchise along with three of his sons. Edgar would frequently remind people that he was very fortunate in that the automobile business was very good to he and his family. He reminded the staff that it was just good business to always do your best and treat customers with courtesy and respect.
Edgar and Theresa enjoyed several General Motors sponsored trips in the United States and abroad as a result of sales and service excellence. Edgar worked the business with three of his sons and a great team of sales staff, administration, and mechanics until his retirement, when the franchise and buildings were sold. Edgar was also known as a very fine woodworking craftsman. He built several gazeebos in the Caribou area and proudly delivered hand built cedar chests to his grandchildren. Additionally, Edgar was skilled at fine cabinetry and finish carpentry. He was a very proud but modest man. One of his passions was to take great pride in keeping all the grounds looking pristine at their home. He was often found on his John Deere tractor making a new flower garden for Theresa or simply enjoying the day mowing the several acres of manicured lawn he maintained. Another of Edgar’s passions was playing poker with his buddies. He was an excellent poker player and known to “bluff” more than once. Edgar had a sharp wit and great sense of humor.
Edgar was a member of the Maine Loring Association for several years and was delighted to get a chance to take a flight in a KC-135 Refueler aircraft. He enjoyed watching sports, especially the Red Sox, the Patriots and the PGA golf tournaments on television with Theresa while she was alive, and with Betty Holdsworth in recent years.
Edgar is survived by his four sons and a daughter: Michael Gagnon and his wife, Lu, of Caribou, Gregg Gagnon and his wife, Judy Auston, of Windham, Steven Gagnon and his companion, Nancy Solman of Caribou, Ted Gagnon and his wife, Cheryl, of Rochester, NH, and Terry (Gagnon) Konrad and her husband, Jack, of Moosup, CT. Edgar was loved and adored by his grandchildren: Jaime Gagnon, Wendy (Gagnon) Leblanc and their mother Alana Gagnon, Kasey Gagnon and Kristofer Anderson, Alyssa, Thomas and Lindsey Gagnon and their mother Virginia Chung, Erin Gagnon and her mother Lori Thorndike, and Erika Konrad, several special great-grandchildren. He was equally admired by his many great-grandchildren and other beloved family members including Chad Bouchard, Bradley Bouchard and their families. Edgar is also survived by a very special caregiver and close friend, Betty Holdsworth of Caribou, who was by his side up to and including the day of his passing. The family wishes to express its sincerest gratitude for all she has done for Edgar. In addition, Edgar is survived by three brothers-in-law, John Cyr of Caribou, Ted Thibodeau of CT, and Herb Weaver of Caribou, two sisters-in-law, Leda Gagnon of Caribou and Blanche Keresey of Troy. Edgar had dear friends, Ron and Bernadette Ouellette, Arthur Gorney, Paul and Aurella Leblanc, Philip and Jean Sullivan, and Philip and Janice St. Peter. He was predeceased by his wife, Theresa, in June of 2013, two brothers, Leonard and Abel Gagnon, and a sister, Irene (Gagnon) Cyr.
Edgar has left us a legacy of fond and cherished memories that will live on forever in the hearts of everyone whose lives he touched. The family would also like to express gratitude to Dr. Carl Flynn for his guidance and support, as well as the staff of Rising Hill Residential Care and Caribou Rehab and Nursing Center for their special care to Edgar.
There will be no services at this time pursuant to the request of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Women’s Imaging Center at Cary Medical Center, 163 Van Buren Road, Caribou, ME, 04736 or the Caribou Country Club Memorial Fund, PO Box 633, Caribou, ME, 04736. Arrangements are by Mockler Funeral Home, 24 Reservoir Street, Caribou. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mocklerfuneralhome.com.
