Lawrence Gagnon

Lawrence Gene Gagnon, Jr.

Ft. Kent and Bangor

Lawrence Gene Gagnon Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, on Friday, February 7, 2025, just shy of his 75th birthday. Gene was born on February 26, 1950, to Lawrence and Rena (Guerrette) Gagnon in Fort Kent, Maine.

Gene graduated from Fort Kent High School in 1968 and soon joined the Army National Guard, where he served for six years. During his service, he married his high school sweetheart, Claudette (Dumond) Gagnon. They were married for 49 years until Claudette's passing in 2017.

In his early years, Gene worked at First National Stores before embarking on a lifelong career in insurance and financial services. At the age of 21, he began working for Prudential Insurance in January 1972, hired by Dalton Dunfee, who became a lifelong friend. Gene started as an agent and eventually became the District Manager for the State of Maine. He garnered numerous awards and made many lifelong friends throughout his career. After retiring from Prudential, he served as Branch Manager for Bankers Life in Bangor for another decade before retiring again.

Gene remained active in retirement, involving himself with the Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Bangor and various organizations in Fort Kent after moving back in 2019. He married Deborah Dumond and became the Chairman of the St John Valley Senior College.

He had a deep faith in God, actively participating in St Paul the Apostle Parish of Bangor and the Saint Louis Parish in Fort Kent. Gene served as a Eucharistic Minister and was part of the Funeral Ministry. His life was guided by service to God, prayer, and spiritual discernment.

Family was Gene's greatest passion. He will be missed and remembered for his traditions. Leading the singing of 'The 12 days of Christmas' at Pepere's Family Christmas Parties and his 4th of July lobster and steak cookout at his precious Boyd Lake Camp are just a couple. He is survived by his wife of five years, Deborah Gagnon of Fort Kent, and his two children, Tony Gagnon (and wife Jennifer) of Hampden and Melissa (Gagnon) Ouellette (and husband Franklin) of Orneville .He also had two stepsons, Andrew Dumond (and wife Kate) of Westbrook and Timothy Dumond (and wife Kate) of Cypress, TX Gene is survived by 13 grandchildren, Jack and Garrett Babbidge of Gray, Ellie Murray (and husband Zachary) of Brewer, Baylee Gagnon of Bangor, Emma Weatherbie (and husband Preston) of Etna, Ashley and Hope Ouellette of Bangor, Emma and Cassidy Youngblood of Bangor, Darci Dow of Gainesville, GA, Derek Dow (and wife Susana) of Morgantown, WV, Damon Dow of Cherryfield, Harper Dumond of Cypress, TX, a great-granddaughter, Illyana Dow of Morgantown, WV, two sisters, Barbara (and husband Leighton Perkins) of Mapleton and Beulah (and husband Mark Follansbee), of Fairfield and many other family members including sisters-in-law, Bernice Jalbert of Fort Kent, and Brenda Gagnon of Rockport, ME, eight brothers-in-law, Jim Dumond (and wife Betty) of Portage, George Dumond (and partner Kelly Martin) of Fort Kent, David Dumond (and wife Rita) of Brewer, Ervin Dumond (and wife Carla) of Holden, Steven Dumond of Soldier Pond, and Dana Dumond (and wife Michelle) of Portland, Ed and Carolyn Dunnavant of Wilmington, NC and Paul Dunnavant of Surfside Beach, SC. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews and Godchildren.

He was predeceased by his wife Claudette, his brother Robert Gagnon, his parents, his in-laws Claude and Annette Dumond, his son-in-law David Dow, and brother-in-law Frank Jalbert.

Gene's life was one of service to God, his family, his country, his work, and his friends. His impact on the lives of many is immeasurable.

Relatives and friends are invited to call 5 pm to 7 pm Friday, February 14, 2025 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 am Saturday, February 15, 2025 at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary's Catholic Church, 768 Ohio St., Bangor. The Rite of Committal will follow at Mt. Pleasant Catholic Cemetery. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments in the parish hall, following the Mass.

Those wishing to remember Gene in a special way may contribute in his memory to All Saints Catholic School, Catholic Foundation of Maine, P.O. Box 799, Portland, ME. 04104-0799, (please indicate All Saints Catholic School, Bangor in memo).

Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.

Those wishing to join the service virtually, please visit, www.stpaulbangor.me.