Rene R. Gagnon, age 75 of Roxbury, Maine and formerly of Danvers, died Sunday, December 24, 2006 at the Beverly Hospital following a brief illness. He was the husband of Phyllis (Paquin) (Levesque) Gagnon. They would have celebrated their 25th anniversary in February.
Born and raised in Salem, he was the son of Geneva (Maillett) Gagnon of Peabody and the late Rene Gagnon. As a young man he first worked for the former A.C. Lawrence Leather Co. For over 36 years he was employed as a machinist for GTE Sylvania at the Sylvan St. plant. Rene and Phyllis moved to Maine from Danvers, when he retired in 1989. They have since divided their time between Roxbury, ME and Sun City, AZ.
Rene was a former member of the Peabody Knights of Columbus and currently a member in Maine. He was at one time active in the Peabody, St. John’s Church Bingo program and was currently very active in the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Arizona.
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by a son: Rene Gagnon, Jr. & his wife Patricia of Magnolia, 1 daughter: Donna Clifford & her husband Charles, 3 stepdaughters: Denise M. Calcagno & her husband Robert of Danvers, Anita L. Naworski of Roxbury, Maine, Celeste A. Abate & her husband Peter of Beverly. A brother Robert Gagnon of Danvers, 4 sisters: Viola Elkhay of Rumford, RI, Patricia Varney of Groveland, Carol Staid of Peabody, Jackie Ball of Lynn. Rene is also survived by 10 grandchildren, 2 great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral on Friday at 8 am from the Levesque Funeral Home, 163 Lafayette St., [Rt. 114 / 1-A] Salem, followed by his funeral mass in St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody, [behind city hall] at 9:30 am. Visiting hours: Thursday 4 to 8 pm. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to your local chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. For additional information and guest book please visit www.levesquefunerals.com.