Ernest Gagnon Obituary

Ernest J Gagnon, of Berwick, ME, who in September celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by family and friends, passed away on Sunday, April 7, 2024. Ernie grew up in St. Adolphe, Manitoba, Canada and Salem, Massachusetts. After service in the Navy during the Korean War Ernie met and fell in love with Geraldine "Gerry" Swiniarski to whom he was wed for 62 years. Ernie dedicated a 38-year career to the Town of Danvers, MA Water Department. During this time, he and Gerry raised four fabulous children. Upon his retirement, they moved to their dream home in beautiful Derby, Vermont.

Ernie was always willing to lend a helping hand. Summers were spent tending to his fruit and vegetable gardens and helping Gerry with her beautiful flower beds. He enjoyed taking long walks around Lake Memphremagog with his walking buddies, enjoying morning coffee with friends at McDonald's, country music, old Western movies, and spending time with his friends and family. The highlight of most of their days in Vermont was spending time telling stories, singing, cooking, and picking raspberries with their youngest granddaughter Allison. Ever the hard worker, Ernie split several cords of wood each year to heat his home. His family will fondly remember his homemade bread, crepes and maple syrup, and the smell of his 5:00 a.m. coffee. Ernie was sustained and comforted by his deep Catholic faith, the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and the Holy Rosary.

Ernie was preceded to Heaven by his loving wife Geraldine (Swiniarski) Gagnon, his parents, Joseph & Josephine Gagnon, and his siblings Dennis Gagnon, Pierre Gagnon, and Theresa Cloutier. He is survived by his brothers John and Leon; his children Steven Gagnon and wife Roseanne, Sharon Ranalli and husband Richard, Darlene Howard and husband Bud, Ann-Marie Kelley and husband Robert; grandchildren Melissa, Alexander, Robert, Ilana, Cassandra, and Allison; and great-grandchildren Grace, Henry, Anthony, Bristol, Kenna, Nash, and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Services were held on April 13th at the Tasker Funeral Home in Dover, NH and interment is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Friday April 26th at the Southern Maine Memorial Veterans Cemetery, 83 Stanley Rd, Springvale, ME 04083.