Obituary of Austin R. Gagnon

Austin R. Gagnon, 95, son of Blanche Belanger and Austin V. Gagnon, both deceased of Cohoes, died on Tuesday peacefully at home on April 23, 2024 in Queensbury.

Beloved husband of the late Mary Grace Lucas Gagnon, who he married at St. Augustine’s Church, Lansingburgh in September 1949, Father of Linda Plante of  Glens Falls, NY, Dale Gagnon of Cohoes, Donald (MaryLynn) Gagnon of Melrose, Barbara (Steven) Black of Cohoes and Donna Gagnon of Queensbury, brother of Earl (Roberta) Gagnon of Latham, J. Paul (Marcia) Gagnon of Speigletown and Anita Litster, deceased of Latham, also survived by his beloved 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

He graduated from Sacred Heart School in Cohoes and LaSalle Institute in Troy, Class of 1946.

He retired in 1990 after 40 years in the cigar industry. As a salesman he represented Scranton Tobacco Co, Boyak Cigar Co. and General Cigar Co., retiring as a Territory Sales Supervisor. Mr. Gagnon and his wife had homes in Cohoes, Lake George and Port Orange, FL.

Mr. Gagnon served for 30 years as a Democrat Committeeman and 5^th Ward Leader in Cohoes, was an active member of the Cohoes and Port Orange, FL B.PO. Elks, was a charter member of and Co-Founder of Boy Scout Troop 70, Cohoes for 35 years serving as Assistant Scoutmaster and Advisor, a Lifetime Member of the Boght Fire Co., served as a Paramedic, Lieutenant of Rescue 1, Lt. of Engine 401 and Treasurer of Boght Ambulance Co, was former Chairman of the City of Cohoes Traffic Commission, was a former communicant of St. Bernard’s Church, St. Agnes-St. Patrick’s Church, all in Cohoes and was a communicant of St. Augustine’s Church in Lansingburgh. He was an active social member and card player of Queensbury and Hudson Falls Senior Centers.

He was an avid hunter, fisherman, boater, golfer and carpenter and loved camping with his children and cooking clam steams for his family gatherings. He loved his Canadian heritage, telling stories and singing. He left this earth telling his family, “I lived a good life and have no regrets.”

A Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Augustine's Church in Lansingburgh followed by interment held in St. Agnes Cemetery, Cohoes.

The scripture readings will be offered by MaryLynn Gagnon, Daughter-in- law and Linda Plante, Daughter. The Offertory Gifts will be presented at the Altar by Jennifer Shaver, Granddaughter, Jill Myers, Granddaughter and Mason Myers, Great Grandson. A tributary song, "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" will be sung by Sophia Plante, Great Granddaughter. The Pallbearers are Jim Plante, Grandson, Matthew Coleman, Grandson, Austin M. Gagnon, Grandson, Kristopher Coleman, Grandson, Cameron Shaver, Great Grandson and Aaron Gagnon, Nephew.

Relatives and friends are invited to calling hours on Monday, April 29, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home Inc., 565 Fourth Ave. (corner of 115^th Street in Lansingburgh) Troy, NY 12182. At 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Fr. Bill Donnelly, O.S.A. will offer a private blessing. There will be an Honored Fireman’s ceremony presented by the Boght Community Fire Department at 6:30 p.m. The family invites friends and family to share spoken words or stories at the wake.

The Gagnon family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to High Peaks Hospice and Hudson Headwaters Health Network.

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to Boght Community Fire House, High Peaks Hospice or St. Jude’s Children Hospital, in memory of Austin R. Gagnon.

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