Reverend Rene E. Gagne

Rene Gagne Obituary

GAGNE, REVEREND RENE E., 79, pastor emeritus of Precious Blood Church in Woonsocket, died Saturday, December 10, 2005.

Born in Woonsocket, a son of the late Eugene N. and Rose A. (Godin) Gagne, he attended Saint Ann Parochial School and Mount Saint Charles Academy. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, in Warwick Neck, and Saint Paul's Seminary in Ottawa, Canada. He was ordained a priest on May 19, 1951 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, in Providence, by Bishop Russell J. McVinney.

Father Gagne's first assignment was at Saint John Church, in Slatersville, as assistant pastor, followed by similar assignments at Saint Joan of Arc Church, Cumberland, (1951-1952), Saint Ann Church, Woonsocket, (1952-1959), Saint James Church, Manville, (1959-1960), Holy Family Church, Woonsocket, (1960-1968), and Saint John the Baptist Church, West Warwick, (1968-1973). In January 1973, Father Gagne was appointed pastor of Precious Blood Church, Woonsocket, and remained there until his retirement, as pastor emeritus, in January, 1996.

In addition to his parish duties, Father Gagne served as Friar to the Knights of Columbus, Wallace General Assembly, in West Warwick (1969), as Dean of the Woonsocket #14 Deanery (1973-1978), and was a member of the Executive Committee of the Clergy Mutual Benefit Fund.

In recent years, Father Gagne was a resident of the Saint John Vianney Residence, Providence, and offered his priestly help at Saint Augustine Church, Providence, Blessed Sacrament Church, Providence and Mary, Mother of Mankind Church, North Providence until he moved to the Saint Antoine Residence, North Smithfield.

Father Gagne leaves a brother; Eugene L. Gagne and his wife Pauline, in Florida, two nieces; Celeste Gagne and Phyllis Bernardi, three nephews; Peter, Marc and Robert Gagne, and a sister-in-law, Jeannette Gagne. He was the brother of the late Roland L. Gagne.

Visiting hours will be held Tuesday afternoon, December 13, from 3-5 p.m., in the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith Street, Providence.

The solemn transfer of his body to Precious Blood Church, Woonsocket, will be held Wednesday, December 14, at 4:00 p.m., followed by a parish mass at 5:00 p.m.

Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial, Thursday, December 15, at 10:00 a.m., in Precious Blood Church, Woonsocket. Burial will be in Saint John the Baptist Cemetery, South Bellingham, Massachusetts.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Providence Journal on Dec. 12, 2005.

Memories and Condolences
for Rene Gagne

3 Entries

John (JACK) Lancellotta

January 8, 2006

It's with such profound sadness that (we) mourn the loss of our earthly friend and church associate, Father RENE E. GAGNE.

When learning of Fr. Gagne's passing, I could not help of referring back some now thirty (30) years here in the Pawtuxet Valley, when only a 'wee' lad of nineteen, in making a wonderful recommitment to the Church; the extension of the Blessed Trinity and the salvation in the Risen Savior Jesus Christ!

I was also grateful to the warm and friendly other personnel of St. John the Baptist Church from the late and faithful then-pastor, Rev. Fr. Roland Remy and his assistant, the affable Fr. Alphonse LeThiez, to the lovely French ancestry nuns and so many devoted church volunteers and interesting visiting priests.

Of course, it surely was an extraordinary honor to participate as a young guy sporting shoulder length hair, a scraggly beard and hippy-type farmer jeans, to truly woo the hearts of kids in catholic instruction (catechism), interacting with many great people of the Holy Name Society and St. Vincent de Paul Society and having and feeling a sheer closeness with God as a weekend commentator and holiday lector. All such lay positions were urged, advocated and encouraged to me by Fr. Gagne.

I had enjoyed many occasions as a young adult during the turbulent times in our great country at the height of the Vietnam conflict in 1972, the societal twists and turns of traditions and manners and to explore so many of these deep and enriching topics with Fr.Gagne. We had some extraordinary and memorable talks that made life as a growing teenager so much more meaningful.

I know too that he enjoyed meeting many of my diverse and interesting friends that periodically would team up with us to bring a flavor of neighborhood opinion and collegial association within the realm of an outward bound catholic priest.

I can recall sometimes Fr.Gage would like to kid with me through my own boyish appearance and say, you know, (at forty-six), people think I'm actually thirty-eight, not much older than you.... I could be your big brother".

In 1973, Fr.Gagne left for his own pastorship at Precious Blood in (historic) Woonsocket and I did immediately miss his guiding friendship and down-to-earth personality of sorts.

I was able to visit his parish with my late dad in the early 1990s and we got on the topic of my affection for the Philippines and his employment of some very lovely Filipino nuns at church and rectory.

We continued our annual Christmas card exchange and he even came back to the Pawtuxet Valley last year at the Summer's Franco-American Heritage Festival as the Honorary religious leader participating at the newly merged Sts. John & James Parish, which the JAYCEES had assisted with so many fantastic French-speaking and adoring volunteers, guests and friends.

Sadly, this beautiful time of Advent, Christmas, New Year and the magic of the Epiphany, will cease to offer that warm exchange of greetings with Fr. 'G' ... he's now left us. Though inwardly so hard to believe.

However, I know that he would want me and all those who possessed a seemingly close relationship with him, a parishioner, friend or family member, to take that genuine sentiment of BELIEF, FIDELITY and LOVE in doing the TRUE WORK of the RISEN LORD and to continue our collective feats of caring with compassion for all people!

GOD Bless You Fr. G!

John (JACK) Lancellotta

January 8, 2006

It's with such profound sadness that (we) mourn the loss of our earthly friend and church associate, Father RENE E. GAGNE.

When learning of Fr. Gagne's passing, I could not help of referring back some now thirty (30) years here in the Pawtuxet Valley, when only a 'wee' lad of nineteen, in making a wonderful recommitment to the Church; the extension of the Blessed Trinity and the salvation in the Risen Savior Jesus Christ!

I was also grateful to the warm and friendly other personnel of St.John the Baptist Church from the late and faithful then-pastor, Rev. Fr. Roland Remy and his assistant, the affable Fr. Alphonse LeThiez, to the lovely French ancestry nuns and so many devoted church volunteers and interesting visiting priests.

Of course, it surely was an extraordinary honor to particpate as a young guy sporting shoulder length hair, a scraggly beard and hiipy-type farmer jeans, to truly woo the hearts of kids in catholic instruction (cataschism),ineracting with many great people of the Holy Name Society and St. Vincent de Paul Society and having and feeling a sheer closeness with God as a weekend commentator and holiday lector. All such lay positions were urged, advocated and encouraged to me by Fr. Gagne.

I had enjoyed many occasions as a young adult during the turbulent times in our great country at the height of the Vietnam conflict in 1972, the societal twists and turns of traditions and manners and to explore so many of these deep and enriching topics with Fr.Gagne. We had some extraordinary and memorable talks that made life as a growing teenager so much more meaningful.

I know too that he enjoyed meeting many of my diverse and interesting friends that periodically would team up with us to bring a flavor of neighborhood opinion and collegial association within the realm of an outward bound catholic priest.

I can recall sometimes Fr. gage would like to kid with me through my own boyish appearance and say, you know, (at forty-six), people think I'm actually thirty-eight, not much older than you.. I could be your big brother".

In Fr 1973, Gagne left for his own pastorship at Precious Blood in (historic) Woonsocket and I did immediate miss his guiding friendship and down-to-earth personality of sorts.

I was able to visit his parish with my late dad in the early 1990s and we got on the topic of my affection for the Philippines and his employment of some very lovely Filipino nuns at church and rectory.

We continued our annual Christmas card exchange and he even came back to the Pawtuxet Valley last year at the Summer's Franco-American Heritage Festival as the Honorary religious leader participating at the newly-merged Sts. John & James Parish, which the JAYCEES had assisted with so many fantastic French-speaking and adoring volunteers, guests and friends.

Sadly, this beautiful time of Advent, Christmas, New Year and the magic of the Epiphany, will cease to offer that warm exchange of greetings with Fr. 'G' ... he's now left us. Though inwardly so hard to believe.

However, I know that he would want me and all those who possessed a seemingly close relationship with him, a parishioner, friend or family memer, to take that genuine sentiment of BELIEF, FIDELITY and LOVE in doing the TRUE WORK of the RISEN LORD and to continue our collective feats of caring with compassion for all people!

GOD Bless You Fr. G!

Br Ronald Francis Crepeau-Cross MGC

December 12, 2005

Dear family of Fr. Gagne,

Deepest sympathy on your loss. He was a long-time friend, mentor, and model priest. May he enjoy eternal rest and may you all be consoled.

Peace and love!

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