Raymond L. Gagnon

Waltham – Mr. Raymond L. Gagnon of Waltham died Wednesday March 17, 2004 in his home. He was 77. Born in Newark, New Jersey, a son of the late Leon and Loretta (Simpson) Gagnon, Mr. Gagnon was an electrical engineer for the Raytheon Corporation for many years before his retirement in 1989. He worked as an engineer on several projects, including the Patriot Missile System. He lived in Sturbridge before moving to Waltham in 1951. He was a Past Commander of the Joseph F. Hill American Legion Post #156 in Waltham. He was a member of the Legion Band and before his illness he had marched many miles playing his trumpet in the cold, rain, and heat in all of the Legion parades and participated in the Waltham Concerts on the Common and Fourth of July festivities. He had the great experience as a band member of traveling to Russia, Ireland, and England. He was also a member of the Soft Touch Dance Band that that often performed on the Common and locally at weddings and banquets to raise money for student scholarships. Mr. Gagnon had also been a longtime coach and supporter of Warrendale Little League. He was a World War II veteran serving in the Pacific with the U.S. Navy. He was the beloved husband of Mary J. (Vaughan) (Donovan) Gagnon, dear father of Susan McGean and her husband William of Waltham, Patricia Ross of Bedford, Veronica Gagnon of Florida, Paul Gagnon and his wife Cynthia of Acton and step-father of John Donovan and his wife Carol of Braintree, Paul Donovan his wife Barbara, of Marlboro, Michael Donovan and his wife Mary Ellen, Kathleen LeBlanc and her husband Robert and Peg Biondo and her husband Paul, all of Waltham. He was a devoted grandfather of 21 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He was the brother of Lorraine Ouellette and her husband Norris (Pete), of Southbridge. Mr. Gagnon was also the husband of the late Rita V. (Szugda) Gagnon. The Funeral will be held at 9 a.m. Monday from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Jude Church, 147 Main Street, Waltham at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham. Visiting hours are Sunday 4 to 7 p.m. Memorial donation’s may be made to HealthCare Dimensions Hospice for Kids, 764 Main Street, Waltham, MA 02451.