Obituary: Deacon Joseph H. Gagne, 82, Of Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, CT — (From Spear-Miller Funeral Home): Deacon Joseph H. Gagne, 82, of Fairfield, beloved husband of nearly 58 years to Roberta E. Gagne, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family Thursday, April 18, 2024.

Born in Willimantic, CT, the son of the late Joseph E. and Blanche (Coulombe) Gagne. A graduate of Windham High School, he received a B.A. in Psychology and an M.A. in Sociology from the University of CT.

While an undergraduate, Joe enrolled in the R.O.T.C. program and was a member of the Scabbard and Blade Military Honor Society and a Distinguished Military Graduate. Upon graduation he was commissioned an officer in the U.S. Army achieving the rank of 1st LT in the Military Police Force where he received the Army Commendation for meritorious service.

Following his military service, Joe became employed as a U.S. Probation and Parole Officer in Kansas City, KS and after continued that role in CT. He would later be assigned as Chief U.S. Pretrial Services Officer for the U.S. District Court of CT.

Joe was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Diocese of Bridgeport in June 2000. He served at St. Thomas the Apostle in Norwalk, Our Lady of Peace in Stratford and Holy Family in Fairfield.

Joe was very involved in scouting with his sons, serving as Scoutmaster at Troop 199, Fairfield. He was an Honorary Life Member of the Knight of Columbus and a Past Grand Knight of the Father Coleman Council. He served as a caseworker at the Thomas Merton Center in Bridgeport and was an avid amateur photographer and cyclist.

His greatest joy, however, was spending time with his family. In addition to his loving wife Roberta, Joe will be sadly missed by his three sons, Tim Gagne (Susan), Peter Gagne (Annie) and John Gagne and five cherished grandchildren, Madeleine, Lauren, Emma, Connor and Colten. He was predeceased by his sister Juliette Caro.

Deacon Joe will be received at St. Pius X Church on Monday, April 22, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. and will lie in repose from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Frank J. Caggiano on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Pius X Church. Interment with military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Trumbull.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, 415 Crossways Park Drive, Suite D, Woodbury, NY 11797 or to The Salesian Missions, 2 Le Fevres Ln., New Rochelle, NY 10801.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Spear-Miller Funeral Home here.