BAILEYVILLE – Ernest Edgar “Sam” Gagner, 83, passed away March 3, 2006, at a Calais hospital. He was born Nov. 30, 1922, on Spruce Street, in Woodland, the son of Alphonse and Antonia (Cherier) Gagner. They were the loving parents of four children, who survive him, Jeffrey (Patricia) of Baileyville, Janice (Ross) Beattie of Florida, David (Sandy) of Bangor and Frank (Vicki) of Baileyville; grandchildren, Nick (Valerie) Beattie, Kim (Chuck) Giggey, Jacob (Candy) and John (Sarah) Gagner, Samantha (Matt), Ashley, Mercedes, Chad, Nicholas Gagner, Larry (Jayna) Saunders and Jennifer Donovan; great-grandchildren, Kassidy Giggey, Quinn, Noelle, Briar and Trey Beattie, Addison Coty, Antonia and Morgan Gagner, Seth and Kobe Saunders and Casey and Kylie Donovan. He also leaves two very special family friends, Cathy Holmes and Jenny Jones; a sister-in-law, Grace Gagner of Virginia; and many nieces and nephews. Sam was a graduate of Woodland High School, Class of 1941, where he participated in varsity basketball and baseball. He worked for St. Croix Paper Company on the paper machines until 1942, when he joined the service along with his four brothers. Sam proudly served in the U.S. Army in Europe with the Second, First Field Artillery during World War II, until March 1946, when he returned to Woodland and the St. Croix Paper Company. He married the love of his life, Lois Shirley, Oct. 30, 1947. Sam worked for both St. Croix and Georgia Pacific Paper Companies, where he served as president of the United Paperworkers International Union as well as president of The Quarter Century Club. He saw many changes at the mill until his retirement in 1988. Sam then was employed by the Atlantic Salmon Commission for several years. He served on the Woodland school board and crooned with the Local Spebsqsa Barbershoppers for many years. Music was a much-loved part of Sam’s life, playing guitar, piano and singing. We know he will have a giant music filled cornboil waiting for us when next we see him. Sam was a charter member of the Spednic Club and American Legion in Woodland. He enjoyed showing his huge model train set to many of the area youths, school groups and his grandchildren. The kids also enjoyed Lois’ still warm molasses cookies and cocoa after exiting Sam’s train room. Upon reading an article about Sam’s love of trains in a local paper, Sam was invited to attend a Hobo’s Convention in the mid-west by non-other than “The King of the Hobo’s himself.” The great Maine outdoors was another passion for Sam. He would walk 10 miles to put a few good “brookies” in his creel. The hunting exploits from his Hayman Brook camp, with the likes of “Liver Eatin’ Jones” and “One-Shot Doc”, reached almost epic proportions locally. He loved to ice-fish and take in the birds, animals and trees in the beautiful forests he frequented. Sam was baptized at and attended St. James the Greater R.C. Church in Woodland. There will be a memorial/committal service for Sam in May. The time will be published before then in the paper. In lieu of flowers, donations in Sam’s memory may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, 654 State St., Bangor, ME 04401. Arrangements by Mays Funeral Home, Calais. Friends may pay tribute at www.maysfuneralhome.com
ERNEST ‘SAM’ GAGNER
