Harold H. ‘Hap’ Gagne, obituary

Tue, 07/13/2021 - 4:45pm

FRIENDSHIP — Harold Henry “Hap” Gagne, of Friendship, Maine, beloved husband, father, and grandfather, departed this life for the next on July 2, 2021. He was 83 when he passed away peacefully at home.

He will be always loved and deeply missed by his loving wife of 64 years, Brenda Nichols-Gagne; his daughter, Debra Gagne Jeffers and her husband, Lee Jeffers, of Wellington, Florida; his daughter-in-law Becca Gagne, of Scotland, Connecticut, and grandsons Harry and Steven; his son, Douglas Gagne and his wife, Courtney Desautell, of East Haddam, Connecticut, and their sons James and Miles; and his son, Mark Gagne and his wife, Michelle, of Willimantic, Connecticut.

Hap was predeceased two years ago by his oldest son, Mitchell.

He will also be missed by his sister Georgianna Gagne and her partner, Pam Chase; his sister Rhoda and her husband, Tory Averna; his sister Marion Kerr; and his brother, Joseph Gagne and his wife, Linda, as well as many other beloved family members and friends.

Hap was born in Hartford, Connecticut on September 13, 1937, the first child of Louis Cyril Gagne and Marion Hollister Forbes Gagne.

Mark Twain tells us, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” When Hap married Brenda, the “why” of his life was defined: his family was paramount. Hap grew up on his family’s dairy farm in Ashford, Connecticut, and served his country in the United States Air Force. At the end of his service, he returned to begin what would prove to be his long career at The University of Connecticut in Storrs. Hap worked for UConn in many capacities, from agricultural worker to police officer to Director of Transportation, the position from which he retired almost 30 years ago.

Hap lived for his wife and family, who always knew they were loved and cherished. He as a wonderful, funny, kind, hard-working, generous, and devoted family man who will be remembered with love and gratitude by all those who knew him.

A celebration of Hap’s life will be held later this summer.

Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main Street, Waldoboro.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.hallfuneralhomes.com