by The Publisher
12/26/2018

Uxbridge - Joseph L. "Joe" Gagnon, 87, of Cedar St. Uxbridge, a longtime Waltham resident died Wed Dec 26, 2018 at Milford Hospital after an illness.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years Joan E. (Pineau) Gagnon; 12 children Deborah LeBlanc of Dubios, PA, Gary Gagnon and his wife Loan of Bellingham, Joseph R. "Jody" Gagnon and his wife Maria of Peabody, Mark Gagnon of Waltham, David Gagnon and his wife Suzanne of Douglas, Denise Brosnahan and her husband Pat of Uxbridge, Mary Ann Scott and her husband Kevin of Dennis, MA, John Gagnon and his wife Celia of Holliston, William Gagnon and his partner Thomas of Auburn, Mechelle Linehan and her husband Steve of Uxbridge, Matthew Gagnon and Timmy Gagnon both of Woonsocket; 28 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; a sister Annette Fenton of Newton; a brother Robert Gagnon of Marshfield; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a granddaughter Emilee Dawn Gagnon, daughter in law Ann Marie Gagnon son in law Henry LeBlanc and was brother of the late Nathalie Catino and Jean Catino. Born at home in Newton, MA on Nov 24, 1931, he was the son of Leo and Blanche (Frechette) Gagnon and lived in Uxbridge 13 years, previously living in Waltham.

Mr. Gagnon was an entrepreneur. For 45 years he owned and operated Gagnon News Service, a newspaper distributorship. He started Joe Gagnon & Sons Construction and later opened JJ's Sub Shop all in Waltham. He later worked 30 years for the Federal Emergency Management Agency with his wife. Together they supervised many US disasters for FEMA, including 9/11. He retired in 2011 when he was 80 years old.

In Waltham, Joe was a member and past president of the Kwanis Club, the Knights of Columbus where he was past Grand Knight, and The Moose Lodge. He also served on the Boards of the Salvation Army and the Waltham Board of Public Health. He was also involved with the Boy's Club and every year he would play Santa in the Waltham Parade.

A hard worker, Joe loved his FEMA job. Over the years he enjoyed playing music with his family band, spending summers in Scituate, and wintering in Hollywood, FL with his wife. He will be remembered as an accomplished, loving man and will be deeply missed.

His Funeral Service will be held Sat. Dec. 29 at 11 am in Tancrell Jackman Funeral Home, 35 Snowling Rd. Uxbridge. Calling hours at the funeral home are Fri. Dec. 28 from 4 to 8 pm. Memorial donations may be made to the Emilee Dawn Gagnon Memorial Scholarship, Westfield State Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 1630, Westfield, MA 01086-1630. To leave a condolence message for the family please visit www.jackmanfuneralhomes.com