Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Scott Gagnan Obituary
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Scott R. Gagnan, 45, of Charleston, S.C., died suddenly Thursday, July 30, 2009.
Born in Salem, he was the son of George A. and Kiki (Cokorogianis) Gagnan. He attended the Peabody school system and entered the Air Force upon graduation. Scott was stationed in Sembach, Germany and there he nurtured his love of travel, history, art and fine automobiles. He thrived at cryptanalysis in his early training and became a highly skilled expert in Satellite Communication with the USAF STRATCOM system.
Upon earning his discharge from the USAF, Scott settled in Charleston and began a 20+ year career as a satellite systems engineer. Scotts' career enabled him to travel around the world working with the military in Guantanamo Bay, Afghanistan, Iraq, Japan and throughout Europe and the U.S. He considered his talents and driven work ethic as his contribution of service to the men and women in uniform serving our country.
Throughout his frenetically paced work life, Scott found the time to recharge with frequent trips home to visit with family; go on fly fishing trips to Kodiak, Alaska; or a last minute trip to run with the bulls in Pamplona. Scott was a true renaissance man who loved the architecture, pace and weather of the South, though always kept a strong bond with his family and roots in New England.
Cheers, Salut, Salud, Kampai, Eis Igian!
In addition to his parents, Scott is survived by his two sisters and brothers-in-law, Lauren Rowland and Jefferson of West Newbury and Stephanie Mahoney and Mark of Marblehead; and his two nephews, Spencer and Logan Mahoney of Marblehead.
ARRANGEMENTS: Relatives and friends are invited to Scott's memorial service at the home of his parents at 42 North Shore Dr., Danvers, on Monday, Aug. 10, at 4:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, 109 Bee St., Charleston, SC 29401.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Terryanne St Pierre
August 11, 2009
Dear George and Kiki, Lauren and Stephanie.. I am so sorry to have not realized that this was your son/ brother until today when I saw Lauren. Scott seemed to have lived allot of life in a short time, more than most of us in many years of living. I wish you all the best.
Susan McCarthy-Runnals
August 10, 2009
I was shocked to hear the news from Mom that Scott had passed. I am so sorry for your loss. I started first grade at St.Thomas school with Scott. I have fond memories of that class, though so long ago, I remember the somewhat "class clown" because of the quick wit that Scott had even as a first grader. He and Dana Lapointe, both such bright boys, innocent but always seemed to find there way to the principals office. Sister superior was no match for them. As I look back it was a great time to grow up, I always knew Scott would achieve great things.
I was also lucky enough to have the memory of tying up to the boat chain out at Misery. Family friends of the Gagnans, My Mom and Dad, sister Caren and I were invited to spend the day on the boat, fun was always had by all. I thought it was so cool to hang out and cruise for the day with such great friends. We grow up so fast, grow apart, and yet the memories can seem so vivid of a time so long ago. Sleep well my friend, maybe we will all meet agsin. My best regards.
Jamie Mahoney
August 8, 2009
Thinking back amongst the many fond memories I have of Scott, I particularly remember one summery Saturday morning at “The Marina” in Beverly, probably around 1975 or so. It started out as most summer weekends at the marina with the early morning roar of boat engines starting and revving-up as they headed out for a family cruise or fishing trip. “A” dock was bustling with gas customers pulling in and out and running back and forth to pay the attendant, and families arriving to provision their boats for a cruise.
I was wandering the docks looking for fish or crabs to catch and came upon Scott preparing his white and blue inflatable for a cruise in-and-around the slips at the marina. He asked me if I cared to join him, to which I replied “sure” and proceeded to help him inflate the boat and mount the outboard engine on the wooden mount. We cruised the slips looking at the boats and admiring their lines and came across an occasional visiting boat, which we’d recognize immediately and guess the make and size and venture a guess on where it had come in from. After cruising “A, B and C” docks, we decided we’d cruise down the harbor and check out the sights and boats at the other marinas. This was a big deal for us in the six-foot inflatable on a busy weekend, but an adventure. Scott and I became practical naval architects as we’d try to find new ways to get more speed out of the boat, get it up on plane and make it skim across the harbor. The weekends always presented a challenge for the inflatable excursions due to the boat traffic, cross chop and wakes in the harbor, but we’d look at it as an opportunity to make the boat jump out of the water and “catch some air”! After 30 or 40 minutes of cruising the harbor, it was time for our families to set off on our separate boats and make the daily cruises for Misery Island, Cape Ann or a nearby harbor, so it was time to head back and tie up the inflatable.
As we got back to the marina late in the afternoon, sun burnt and salty from having swum to shore at Misery, or just jumped in the water to cool off, Scott and I got together again, and I believe Mark joined us, to see what kind of mischief we could get into as our parents hoisted the cocktail flags and told their fish-tales of the day. We went up to the parking lot of the marina and were walking down Water Street towards McDonald’s and Scott said “hey, anyone want to join me in this”? He then proceeds to pull out one of George’s 8-inch long cigars and some wooden matches that he had absconded with. We all huddled around and tried to figure out how to light the cigar as we looked over our shoulders to be sure none of the parents from the marina saw us trying to have a smoke. Scott was able to get it lit and asked “who’s next” to have a puff? Since I had lips still virgin to tobacco, I said “give me a try” and proceeded to inhale a big puff…of cigar smoke…and chocked, coughed and spit for what must have been 5 minutes. None of us much liked it, and we all had maybe a puff or two, but it was part of growing up and certainly a fun and mischievous part of the day and a day spent with Scott that I remember vividly.
I’ll always remember Scott for being a bright and intellectually curious kid and am happy to have spent so many memorable days with him in and around the marina growing up.
He’ll be missed.
Jamie Mahoney
August 7, 2009
Memory of a day spent with Scott.
To: The Gagnan Family -
Thinking back amongst the many fond memories I have of Scott, I particularly remember one summery Saturday morning at “The Marina” in Beverly, probably around 1975 or so. It started out as most summer weekends at the marina with the early morning roar of boat engines starting and revving-up as they headed out for a family cruise or fishing trip. “A” dock was bustling with gas customers pulling in and out and running back and forth to pay the attendant, and families arriving to provision their boats for a cruise.
I was wandering the docks looking for fish or crabs to catch and came upon Scott preparing his white and blue inflatable for a cruise in-and-around the slips at the marina. He asked me if I cared to join him, to which I replied “sure” and proceeded to help him inflate the boat and mount the outboard engine on the wooden mount. We cruised the slips looking at the boats and admiring their lines and came across an occasional visiting boat, which we’d recognize immediately and guess the make and size and venture a guess on where it had come in from. After cruising “A, B and C” docks, we decided we’d cruise down the harbor and check out the sights and boats at the other marinas. This was a big deal for us in the six-foot inflatable on a busy weekend, but an adventure. Scott and I became practical naval architects as we’d try to find new ways to get more speed out of the boat, get it up on plane and make it skim across the harbor. The weekends always presented a challenge for the inflatable excursions due to the boat traffic, cross chop and wakes in the harbor, but we’d look at it as an opportunity to make the boat jump out of the water and “catch some air”! After 30 or 40 minutes of cruising the harbor, it was time for our families to set off on our separate boats and make the daily cruises for Misery Island, Cape Ann or a nearby harbor, so it was time to head back and tie up the inflatable.
As we got back to the marina late in the afternoon, sun burnt and salty from having swum to shore at Misery, or just jumped in the water to cool off, Scott and I got together again, and I believe Mark joined us, to see what kind of mischief we could get into as our parents hoisted the cocktail flags and told their fish-tales of the day. We went up to the parking lot of the marina and were walking down Water Street towards McDonald’s and Scott said “hey, anyone want to join me in this”? He then proceeds to pull out one of George’s 8-inch long cigars and some wooden matches that he had absconded with. We all huddled around and tried to figure out how to light the cigar as we looked over our shoulders to be sure none of the parents from the marina saw us trying to have a smoke. Scott was able to get it lit and asked “who’s next” to have a puff? Since I had lips still virgin to tobacco, I said “give me a try” and proceeded to inhale a big puff…of cigar smoke…and chocked, coughed and spit for what must have been 5 minutes. None of us much liked it, and we all had maybe a puff or two, but it was part of growing up and certainly a fun and mischievous part of the day and a day spent with Scott that I remember vividly.
I’ll always remember Scott for being a bright and intellectually curious kid and am happy to have spent so many memorable days with him in and around the marina growing up.
He’ll be missed.
Love,
Jamie Mahoney
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Mark Mahoney
August 7, 2009
I had the pleasure of knowing Scott since I was about 10 years old through our Family connection at Beverly Harbor Marina. I knew him as a friend, a business partner in a high-tech start up, a brother-in-law and an occassional drinking buddy through the years. Scott was the consumate "Curious George" from childhood throughout his entire life.
I have fond memories of Scott fishing in his small Zodiac getting pulled around Beverly Harbor by Blue-fish. Old habits die hard as Scott continued fishing through the years, learning to tie his own flies and hook giant salmon up in Kodiak Alaska.
Scott enjoyed our annual ski trips to Loon the day after Thanksgiving and finally bailed after thinning about his blood in the "South". He took great pride in his home(s) and his personal style of decorating was Louis the 5th or Henry the 8th. His time spent in the USAF in Germany had a life long impact on Scott, from BMW, Mercedes and Porsche and driving like hell on the Autobahn to sampling every Beer brewed in Germany and you cant forget his German shepherds!
He was one smart character and as independent a person as you could ever meet. The guy loved history and was a voracious reader and had more fact based opinions of politics based on his military awareness that I never tired of hearing.
last visit to Charleston Scott had purchased a 20 foot long stainless steel 4 tank micro brew set up that he envisioned using at the House alongside his wood fired pizza oven!
I remember him calling telling us about the wooden trawler he bought an shipped from Seattle to Charleston and set it up in a condo-doc and then decided it was too much up-keep! He logged a hell of alot more years than 45 when you look back upon his life and worldwide travels and adventures.
Scott
We were all fortunate to have him in our lives here in New England and Charleston and I will miss him dearly
Bobby Padgett
August 5, 2009
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Scott, who was by all accounts a wonderful person. Knowing Scott since 1996, I have shared great times with Scott and all his wonderful friends. He will be missed by many but always remembered. My thoughts and prayers go out to all.
Scott Chafin
August 5, 2009
Words cannot describe the sorrow I feel with Scott's passing. Scott and I have worked together since 1997 we've shared so many experiences. From 29 Palms to Germany and several places in between....we've spent many an hour trying to figure it out! All those grueling times are fond memeories...memories I will never forget. You will be missed my brother...and yes...I would always answer your call...even at two oclock in the morning!
Paul Bradley
August 3, 2009
Best wishes to all of Scott's family and friends from one of Scott's colleagues at REDCOM Labs.
Dustin Foxworth
August 3, 2009
Memories never die. May you remember Scott by all the good memories you shared with him. Sorry for the loss, and may god bless you all...family and friends.
-Dustin Foxworth
Robert Scogin
August 3, 2009
If this the same Scott that worked at The Home Depot part-time while in the Air Force in the late '90's, then I am truly sorry for your loss. He had a great personality and I was extremely impressed with the effort he gave, especially after having worked a full day somewhere else. He had a great work ethic and an even better sense of humor. I will remember him fondly.
Hattie Davis
August 3, 2009
In My Pocket
I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.
My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.
They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.
Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.
But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.
Sandy Kelling
August 3, 2009
Sorry for your loss, Scott was a wonderful person and will be saddly missed. My God bless you all.
Judy Stafford
August 3, 2009
Scott you will be missed by your family at EDO Corporation. We'll all remember the great times we had working together and your warm smile.
Ramona Flinn
August 2, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Showing 1 - 14 of 14 results
Make a Donation
in Scott Gagnan's name
How to support Scott's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Scott Gagnan's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
