Harold Alphee Gagnon, 96, formerly of Gilford and Gilmanton, died peacefully Friday morning, December 21, 2007 at the Glenncliff Home, Glencliff, New Hampshire.
Born in Manchester, New Hampshire on October 11, 1911 where he was raised and schooled, Harold was the son of the late Thomas and Ophelia (Bonneau) Gagnon.
A home builder in Manchester for several years, Harold moved his family to Gilford in the late 1940’s and founded Silver Sands Motel & Marina where he had dredged the brook to become a channel in from Lake Winnipesaukee to what is now the motel and marina. He dug by hand and set the footings and side walls for the motel and marina using his wheelbarrow and shovel. He also built all of his own homes as well as many others in Gilford, and Gilmanton with his unique fieldstone fireplaces. He was instrumental in the development of the former Mt. Rowe Ski Area in Gilford, and was one of the first men in New Hampshire to make man made snow. Later in life with his love for horses, he moved to Gilmanton on Route 106 where he built another home and a horse arena. There he boarded and trained horses, as well as giving riding lessons. Harold had great pride in showing his Arabians in many horse shows, one particular show he was Grand Champion with his colt Sir Romson.
Harold often spent summers in Wells and Ogunquit, Maine with his family. He loved to ski, dance, country music, roller skating, musicals, and hard work.
Harold is predeceased by his first wife, Julia (Tullgren) Gagnon; and a son, Bibe Gagnon in 2005.
Harold is survived by a son, Garrett Gagnon and his wife Jennifer of Loudon; a daughter, Marlene Osborne and her husband Paul of Gilmanton; two step-sons, James Mastine and his wife Laureen of Northfield, and Bruce Mastine and his wife Kelly of Bethel, Vermont; ten grandchildren, Chris Gagnon, Lisa Osborne, Nikolas, Kelsea, and Alisha Gagnon, Stephen, Katelyn, Courtney, Amanda, and Jessie Mastine; three great-grandchildren, Noland, and Kaitryn Gagnon, and Lily Mastine. Myra Little his former wife of Virginia also survives Harold.
Visiting hours were held on Friday, January 11, 2008 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the Simoneau-Paquette Memorial Home, 139 Church Street, Laconia. A private graveside service will be held at Pine Grove Cemetery, Belknap Mountain Road, Gilford, in the spring.
For those who wish, the family suggests expressions of sympathy in Harold’s name be made to Live and Let Live Farm (a non-profit rescue shelter for horses) 20 Paradise Lane, Chichester, NH 03258, or visit www.liveandletlivefarm.org