MILLINOCKET – Eldon W. “Put” Gagnier Sr., passed away Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, at a Millinocket hospital, after a long illness. He was born July 15, 1928, in Millinocket, the son of Francis Xavier and Mary (Picard) Gagnier. Put was a graduate of Stearns High School, Class of 1944. He was a fourth degree member of Knights of Columbus, Council No. 680; Fin & Feather Club; and Great Northern Paper Retirees Association. He worked for Great Northern Paper Co., Millinocket, as a maintenance foreman for many years, retiring in 1985, when he was 57. Put was an avid fly fisherman, and his favorite place to fish was Nesouradnehunk Lake. He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Winnifred M. (DiCentes) Gagnier; three children, Carol Ann Daniell and her husband, William, Eldon W. Gagnier Jr. and his wife, Jane, and Judy Beaupain and her husband, Charles, all of Millinocket; eight grandchildren, Marcy Boynton, William Daniell Jr., Rebecca Fish, Scott Daniell, Rachael Gagnier, Brandy Gagnier, Bryce Kulow and Jeremy Beaupain; 17 great-grandchildren; four siblings, Adeline Ladd of Milo, Viola Pesillo of Naples, Fla., Clarence Gagnier of Daytona Beach, Fla., and Elizabeth Nevells of Bangor; many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. Put will also be missed by special friends, Dick Manzo and Armand Colombo. He was predeceased by two brothers, Elmer and Lawrence Gagnier; and a sister, Rella Dumas. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, St. Martin’s Church, 19 Colby St., Millinocket. Interment will be at Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Put may be sent to Katahdin Area Support Group, 10 Field St., Millinocket, ME 04462, or to Knights of Columbus, Council No. 680, Millinocket, ME 04462. Messages of condolence may be expressed at www.lamsonfh.com.
ELDON WILLIAM ‘PUT’ GAGNIER SR.
