Percy Gagnon

Born on September 17, 1932 in Hamlin Plantation, Maine. Beloved husband of Maryline (Levesque) Gagnon, Loving father of Deborah Gagnon of Ithaca, NY. Son of the late Henri and Melvina (Michaud) Gagnon; Brother of Gerald of Holliston, MA, Edgar of Melbourne, Fl. and Henri Jr. of Vallejo, CA and the late Anthelm and Leo James, Marie Gagnon, Leona Ayotte, and Joan Therrien.

No prior visitation. Percy will be interred at the Western New York National Cemetery (Corfu, NY) on Tuesday, July 11 at 10:00 am.

Percy was a proud veteran of the Korean War, a life member of AMVETS Post 26, and member of American Legion Sikora Post 1322. He was recognized for his service through an installation on the Wall of Honor at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park as well as the Veteran’s Memorial Park in Tonawanda, NY. Percy lived a very full and rich life. His proudest ‘accomplishments’ were his daughter Deborah and his 64 year marriage to Maryline. He was an avid outdoorsman and sportsman and was able to live out those passions for many years at his “Shangri La” – his cabin in the woods in East Otto, NY. His other lifelong passion was gardening; Percy started growing plants as a young boy in the rocky dirt of northern Maine and was renowned throughout the Tonawandas for his lush organic garden. He loved experimenting with new plant stock and was able to make plants thrive in WNY that have no business growing in Zone 6a! Gardeners from throughout the region would come to see his garden and to pick the brain of the ‘master gardener’. Percy didn’t just grow the vegetables, he also canned them for his family’s enjoyment throughout the year. (His daughter claims to have never eaten a store-bought canned product in her entire upbringing.) Percy’s neighbors and workmates benefited from Percy’s very green thumb as he was happy to share his bounty. Percy’s love of the outdoors rubbed off on his daughter and together, they logged many miles hiking and backpacking, time together in the woods that they both cherished. Percy’s occupation was as a draftsman for WSF Industries in Tonawanda, NY. He began his career as a welder, but worked his way through to a high school equivalency degree and then trade school to become a draftsman. He enjoyed this job so much that he held it for 65 years and did not fully retire until he was 88 years of age!

Online condolences may be offered at www.denglerrobertspernafuneral.com