Alfred F. Gagnon

1918 - 2016

Fred Gagnon, 97, formerly of Manchester, died on Friday, April 22, 2016. Born in West Pownal, Maine on August 22, 1918, Fred was raised in Hartford where he met his future wife, the late Dorothy Ann Davis, at the age of ten. Childhood sweethearts, they married on June 28, 1941. Fred enlisted in the U.S. Navy on March 3, 1943 and served on the troop carrier, the U.S.S. General T. H. Bliss, until his Honorable Discharge on October 28, 1945. Fred was overjoyed to return to his young bride and daughter, who was only two months old when he enlisted. Putting these difficult years behind them, Fred and his wife Dot worked to purchase a home in Manchester and eventually had five more children (one son, Richard, died in his infancy). Fred worked for thirty-one years at the Pratt & Whitney Machine Tool Division of Colt Industries and for another ten years at Connecticut Natural Gas Company, retiring in 1982. Fred worked hard and his strong work ethic was absorbed by each of his children. The importance of family was paramount to Fred, however, and this was another legacy passed to his children. Until the end of his life, family gatherings were frequent and full of love and laughter. In earlier years, these gatherings often took place in the recreation room Fred built for his family or on the large stone patio Fred crafted himself in the backyard. Fred and Dot also enjoyed camping throughout their lives, starting with a large Army tent when their children were young and ending with a motor home in their retirement years. In addition to traveling, Fred and Dot enjoyed square dancing and were active members of the Rip Snorters' Square Dance Club in West Hartford for many years. Fred also enjoyed the outdoors, whether it was bird hunting with his brother Leo or walking in the woods near his home. Predeceased by his beloved Dot, Fred leaves his children, Gail Molina of Manchester, Glenn Gagnon of Vernon, Robert Gagnon of Little River, SC, Jerry Gagnon of Vernon, and Doreen Gagnon of Cheshire. He also leaves twelve grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. A graveside service will take place at 11:00 AM on June 25 at East Cemetery in Manchester. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.