Paul Gagnon

Joseph Paul Gagnon, 87, of West Springfield, died on March 2, 2017. Paul was born on April 26, 1929, in Fall River, MA, the fourth child of Roland and Cecile (Lemieux) Gagnon. He grew up in Worcester and Rutland, MA. He served in the Air Force for twenty years, and was stationed in the continental United States as well as Hawaii, Wake Island, South Korea, and Japan. He retired from the Air Force as a Master Sergeant and returned to New England, where he worked in the printing business, eventually becoming the proprietor of the Elm Tree Press, in Woodstock, VT. After retiring, he moved to Western Massachusetts. He earned a B.A. from Westfield State College in 1997 and continued to take graduate-level courses after earning his degree. Paul leaves his wife, Barbara J. Sweeney, and four children, Frank, Marilyn Smith, James, and Deborah Conger, all of Tucson, AZ, as well as 8 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. He is survived by six siblings: Jacqueline Plante, of Tiverton, Rl, Jeanne Johnson, of Auburn, Constance Reese, of Marietta, OH, Lorraine Thomas, of Longmeadow, Rachel Fry, of Southwick, and Mariette Demarest, of Sacramento, CA. He was predeceased by his brothers, Roger, Andre, Roland and Norman, his sister Susan and his grandson Dustin. Paul had a great love of life and people. He loved American history, baseball, cooking for family and friends, and listening to music and stories on the radio. Paul�s Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, March 8th at 11:00 am at Wilbraham Funeral Home, 2551 Boston Rd, Wilbraham. An hour of visitation will precede the Service from 10:00-11:00 am. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Tinkham Rd., Springfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trustees� Fund of the Soldiers� Home in Holyoke, 110 Cherry Street, Holyoke, MA 01040 or National Public Radio at www.npr.org .