Gilford J. Gagnon

Fort Kent - Gilford J. Gagnon, 76, peacefully entered into rest May 18, 2026, at a Fort Kent healthcare facility. He was born April 26, 1950, in Fort Kent, a son of the late Ned and Lillie (Hebert) Gagnon.

Gilford was drafted into the military during Vietnam. He served in the US Air Force overseas. Upon his return to the St. John Valley, he went to work at former Loring Air Force Base as a flight mechanic. Gilford returned to Fort Kent where he was a carpenter and sawmill operator. He last worked for Northern Maine General, Eagle Lake, caring for the facilities and grounds. He was a longtime member of the Knights of Columbus, Fourth Degree Assembly, and the former VFW, Fort Kent. Gilford enjoyed hunting and fishing and especially enjoyed sharing his love of the outdoors with his grandchildren. He was also a gardener and wonderful cook and no one left his kitchen with an empty stomach.

He is survived by three children, Kelly Dechene and her husband Chuck, of New York, Chad Gagnon and his wife Shanna of Hamden, Trish Gagnon and her wife Erica Bennett of Fort Kent; nine grandchildren, Liv, Chaz, Cole, Aubrey, Connor, Jillian, Devin, Cole, and Collin; Judy (Voisine) Gagnon of Fort Kent, his former wife with whom he shared a deep and lasting bond; six siblings, Sr. Rena Mae Gagnon, PFM, of Massachusetts, Rita Pelletier of Daigle, Bern Lord and her husband Keith of California, Bert Gagnon and his wife Bernette of Fort Kent, Roland Gagnon and his wife Dee of Skowhegan, and Angie Hotchkin and her husband Doug of Kennebunk; and many cousins nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, Gilford was predeceased by his siblings, Memory Keller, Fern Gagnon, and infants Lucien & Eva-Rinette Gagnon.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on July 24, 2026 at St. Louis Church, Fort Kent. Burial with military honors will follow in the parish cemetery. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie-Daigle Funeral Home, 14 E. Main St., Fort Kent.