Richard L. Gagnon

Richard L. Gagnon, 92, of Mapleville, Rhode Island, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 surrounded by his family.
Born in Rhode Island, he was the son of the late Alfred and Eva (Joly) Gagnon. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army and went on to dedicate his professional life to woodworking and cabinetry. A skilled craftsman, Richard created custom wood products and later worked as a factory representative for CWP Cabinetry, where he was known for his integrity and dedication. He retired after 31 years.
Richard was married to Doris Gagnon, his beloved wife, since 1960. Together, they raised two children: a son, Richard Gagnon of Hickory, NC, and a daughter, Susan Reinhart of Alabama. He was a devoted grandfather to four grandchildren.
In keeping with his wishes, a private committal service was held at Acote's Hill Cemetery.
Eulogy read at committal service by his son, Richard:
A Dad
Pretty much any man can become a Father, and we see much of this in the world we live in where men become fathers then just move on. But a Dad is a much different kind of man - the man starts out as a Father and puts on humility, love and self-sacrifice for his wife and children, this is how God designed families to be. When it comes to his children, he truly wants what is best and is willing to sacrifice his dreams, comfort and money as well as giving his strength to help shape them into the best they can be in this world. There are not many who embrace this difficult mantle, but my Dad was such a man. In the good times and in the difficult times he always did the best he could for us and loved us well. I never had to question his love or desire for what was best for me because it was obvious in his actions and words.
As I grew into a man I reflected back on the countless lessons he taught and illustrated throughout our years together. I learned about woodworking, machinery, cars and just so many little things that men deal with day in and day out. Some of the most impactful lessons came from the behavior he modeled in different situations. He was calm, honest and considerate, which I hope develops in me more and more. He has laid the groundwork for the man I am so I could grow and be proficient in life. God blessed me by making Richard my Dad and I can never say thank you enough for all that he was, but these few words give you the idea of the man he was to me. Thank you Dad for a life well lived, all your support and your love - you will be greatly missed.