Edward C. Gagnon (Retired Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force) died March 20, 2025.

Fighter pilot, war hero, golfer…

Ed Gagnon lived a joyous life of service and amazing adventures. He played catch growing up with future big league legends Roy Campanella and Don Newcombe. He became a fighter pilot in the Air Force who competed in the prestigious William Tell Competition. He commanded a radar base in Key West during the Cuban Missile Crisis, investigated UFO reports that were in Project Blue Book. He dove for pearls in Japan, became an honorary member of the Montanyard Indian Tribe in Vietnam. Proudly, he was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service in combat.

Ed was born December 4, 1931, in Nashua, New Hampshire, to the late Edward C. and Beatrice (Woods) Gagnon. He showed his patriotism and service orientation early as a crossing guard and aircraft spotter during World War II. He attended Nashua High School and stayed active playing basketball and golf.

After graduation, he matriculated to St. Anselm College. During his sophomore year, the Korean War was raging, and he answered the call to serve his country and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet program. While serving, he graduated from St. Anselm’s with a B.A. in pre-law. During his career, he served abroad in Germany, Japan, and as a Base Commander at Ban Me Thout in Vietnam. In the U.S., he was stationed in Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Maine, North Carolina, New York, and Massachusetts. He retired in 1973 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Ed married and raised his two sons back in Nashua, New Hampshire. He coached in the Southern New Hampshire Youth Hockey program and was a member of Nashua Country Club.

In 1984, Ed married the love of his life, Margaret Wotton Cookman, and moved to Westford, Massachusetts. They spent 41 wonderful loving years together, but jokingly only had 10 anniversaries as they wed on Leap Year Day! After he retired, they moved to her family home in Friendship, Maine. Ed made the absolute most of every day - taking long walks with his dog, playing bridge, but most of all it can be safely said that Ed spent his retirement playing golf - much of it at the spectacular Samoset Golf Resort.

Ed leaves behind his wife, Margaret; son Christopher Gagnon and his wife Donna of Austin, Texas; and son Michael Gagnon, also of Austin, Texas. He also leaves his stepchildren, Amy and her husband Eric Villalpando of Alpine, California, and David Cookman and his wife Susan of Goffstown, New Hampshire. He also leaves grandchildren Sara Gagnon and Drew Gagnon and step grandchildren, Elizabeth Romero, Cameron Cookman, Trisha Charpentier, and Joshua Charpentier.

Details to follow on a celebration service to be held later this spring. In lieu of flowers, you can donate in Ed’s memory to the Friendship Museum (Friendship Museum, PO Box 226, Friendship, ME 04547).

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Services. To share a condolence or memory with the Gagnon family, visit Ed’s Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.