James H. Gagnon

James H. Gagnon, 86, a resident of the Centralville section of Lowell, died Thursday, April 22, 2010, at Saints Medical Center surrounded by his family. He was the beloved husband of the late Diana (Chalifoux) Gagnon.
Born in Lowell on March 10, 1924, he was a son of the late James W. and Catherine (Beecher) Gagnon.
Mr. Gagnon was inducted into the United States Army in April, 1943 at Ft. Devens Mass. He served with distinction as a Rifleman with the Forty Fifth Infantry Division in the European Theater of operations during WWII. He saw action in France, Italy and Germany. He was awarded two Bronze Star Medals for meritorious achievement in combat against the armed enemy. He was also awarded the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 5 Bronze Battle Stars, a Good Conduct Medal and a Bronze Service Arrowhead.
He was educated in the Lowell Public Schools and worked at Prince Macaroni in Lowell as a mechanic and retired from the Lowell School Department where he worked as a cabinet maker and finish carpenter.
He was an avid stamp collector, enjoyed spending time with his family and pets, making model airplanes and spent many hours working in his flower garden.
He was a communicant of St. Michael's Church.
He is survived by three children, Sherry (Gagnon) Einarson and her husband Russell of West Springfield, Thomas Gagnon of Oslo, Norway and Douglas Gagnon and his wife Eileen of Hudson, NH; his brother, Donald Gagnon and his wife Mildred of Lowell; his sister, Lorraine Bragan of Lowell; five grandchildren, Melissa Aldridge, Christina Gagnon, Stefan Gagnon, Marius Gagnon and Tyler Gagnon; two great grandchildren, Derick and Delaney; many nieces and nephews.