We regret to advise of the death of Major Joseph Rosaire Jean-Marie “John” Gagné, CD (Ret’d) on 31 July 2017 in residence at Manoir Héritage in Ottawa,ON.
John was born in La Tuque, QC in 1929 and grew up in and around La Tuque. Over the years he moved with his family among several communities including Montreal and Buckingham, QC. He worked for various industries including a paint manufacturer but eventually settled into a trade as an electrician. In 1948 he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force as an Leading Aircraftsman and eventually rose to the rank of Chief Warrant Officer before being Commissioned from the Ranks and achieving the rank of Major.
John worked in the areas of building maintenance and major infrastructure construction projects. His career saw him posted to numerous locations including Borden ON, Calgary AB, Goose Bay NL, Grostenquin (France), St-Hubert QC, Bagotville QC, Baden-Soellingen (Germany), St- Jean-sur-Richelieu QC, and finally Ottawa where he settled down in 1975.
Jean-Marie had many accomplishments over the years; including his responsibilities as part of the Canadian Forces assistance with the security operations for the 1976 Montreal Olympics and seeing the completion of the construction of the "Mega" – the Canadian Forces Recruit School complex (c 1978) at St-Jean-sur- Richelieu, QC.
Jean-Marie retired in 1977 as a Major with the Canadian Military Engineers and then pursued a second career as a civil servant with the Department of National Defence where he remained until his full retirement in 1992. He also volunteered many hours and chaired the volunteer advisory committee of the Condo Owner's association of Brittany Place (Ottawa) and also contributed to the maintenance and oversight of many projects at that location.
At the family's request, there will be no viewing or funeral. Jean-Marie will be laid to rest alongside his wife Marie-Thérèse during a private family service at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services in Ottawa. For messages of condolence, please visit www.beechwoodottawa.ca . {khJul2017}[ zsp]
