James J. Gagnon, 81 of Peabody and formerly of Salem, passed away peacefully at the Kaplan Family Hospice House on Tuesday, February 28, 2017. He was the devoted husband of Claire R. (Bouchard) Gagnon with whom he shared 55 years of marriage.
Born in Manhattan, NY and raised in Newburyport, he was the son of the late John and Rose (Murphy) Gagnon. Jim joined the Navy in 1953 and served in Korea. Following his tour of duty, he returned to Newburyport and worked in shoe manufacturing. In 1959, he re-enlisted and served on a destroyer during the Cuban blockade and later in the Mediterranean and Suez Canal. He left the Navy to work for the A.C. Lawrence Leather Co. of Peabody. Jim was employed as a letter carrier for the US Postal Service from 1968 through 1990. Jim loved his family and traveling. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed the sea.
In addition to his wife Claire, he is survived by 3 daughters, Karen M. Allen and her husband Randy of Prospect, CT, Laurie A. LeBlanc and her husband Keith of Peabody, Kathleen E. Chapman and her husband Eric of Naples, FL, his sister, Patricia Pollard of Salisbury, as well as three grandchildren, Courtney & Mallory LeBlanc and Jarrett Allen. He also leaves nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother John Gagnon.
Relatives and friends are invited to his visiting hours on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St. [Route 114 / 1-A] Salem, from 8:30 to 10:30 AM, to be followed by his funeral mass in St. James Church, 156 Federal St., Salem at 11:00 AM. His burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Salem DAV, Witch City Post 1524, 95 Derby St., Salem, MA 01970. For additional information and guestbook, please visit www.LevesqueFunerals.com