Charles Gagnon Madawaska 85. Died 6-19-2002 at a Madawaska nursing home. He was born in Presque Isle 3-8-1917 the son of Edward and Ida (Merriam) Gagnon. He was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School and attended several education courses at UMO and the University of Syracuse in New York. He was a member of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish Church in Madawaska, where he served on the Parish Council. He was chairperson of the Social, Peace and Justice Commission and served on the Board of CAtholic Charities of Maine. He served as 3rd and 4th Degree Knights of Columbus and was a former Grand Knight of the Fort Fairfield Council. He also held the office of District Deputy and an honorary life membership. He served in WWII as a Army Surgical Technician. Decorations included the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal and an honorable discharge in 1945. He was member of the American Legion Post No. 147 of Madawaska, where he served as historian and treasurer, a former commander of the American Legion in Fort Fairfield, vice commander of the Northern Aroostook County District and a member of the VFW Post. Charlies career included many years as store manager for J.J. Newberry Co. and owner and operator of Gagnon Brothers Grocery Store, with his wife and brother. He also held the position of executive manager of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, receiving the Civic Award in recognition as a prominent citizen for outstanding community service. Charlie also served as the town manager of Madawaska for a period of 4 years. In Fort Fairfield he was a member of the Holy Name Society, American Chamber of Commerce Executives, Loring Air Force Base Officers Club, Civil Defense and Public Safety Director, Ambassador of Defense, secretary to the Merchants Association and president of the Band Association, PTA and Development Corp. In Madawaska he served as a member of the Aroostook County Town and City Managers Association, Maine Municipal Association, International City Managers Association and local, county and state Democratic Committees, Lions Club, where he served as treasurer and director , earning the Distinguished Service Award and president of the St. John Valley Association for the Handicapped. (St. John Valley Assoc. Inc.) Upon retiring Charlies occupation became dedicating his services to the church, community and those less fortunate than himself. In 1991 he received the Volunteer of the Year award from the Diocesan Human Relations Services. His outstanding public service and dedication to the St. Thomas Aquinas Social Justice and Peace Comission earned him the distinguished honor of receiving the Jefferson Award in 1995. Once Charlie slowed down he and his wife enjoyed winters in Daytona Beach FLA. As his health deteriorated, he looked forward to attending mass and visits from his children and grandchidren. He is survived by his wife, Simone (Dufour) Gagnon of Madawaska, 4 children, Edward and his wife, Janet of Winslow, Carol Martin-Hausmann and her husband, Zahn of Harpswell and Naples, FLA., Judith Belanger and her husband David of Solon, Linda Bradley and her husband Don of Sweden, 5 grandchildren, Meagan Martin of Durango, COL., Leigh Gagnon of San Jose, CA., Tobin Belanger and his wife Cheryl of Moscow, Tori Belanger of Solon, Skip Gagnon and his wife Heather of Telluride, COL., 1 sister, Lillian Argraves of Green Valley, AZ. He was predeceased by 2 brothers, Theodore and James. Interment St. Thomas Aquinas Parish cemetery.