Joseph W. Gagner
GREENFIELD -- Joseph W. Gagner, 65, of 32 Beech St., died Sunday (4-20-08) at home.
He was born in Greenfield on Oct. 11, 1942, the son of Joseph L. and Agnes (Casey) Gagner. He was a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He had been a resident of Greenfield most of his life.
Joe was a policeman for the Greenfield Police Department from 1966 until 1998, when he retired as a lieutenant. He was the first acting police officer to obtain a four-year college degree.
He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. John Paul Jones during the Cuban missile crisis and attained the rank of Signalman 3rd Class.
Joe was a life member of the Greenfield Lodge of Elks and was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose.
He was a firearm enthusiast and enjoyed pheasant hunting, fishing, spending time at the camp in Vermont and playing cribbage.
Survivors include his wife of 39 years, the former Dolores ''Dee'' A. Roy; a son, Joseph L. of Greenfield; a daughter, Shannon M. Hansen and her husband Greg of Erda, UT; a brother, Thomas Gagner of Greenfield; two sisters, Pat Gagner Franck of Pittsfield and May Crowley of Bernardston; two grandsons, Owen and Tucker Hansen, and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday at the Greenfield Lodge of Elks from 4 to 7 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor's choice.
Kostanski Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Sympathy message available at www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.
Service Information
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