Denis Gagné

HIGHGATE - Denis Serge Gagné, age 80, also known as "Putt Putt" passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 at the Villa Rehab Center in St. Albans with his three daughters by his side.

He was born on November 28, 1944 to the late Rosaire T. & Henriette (Choiniere) Gagné.

Denis attended school in Highgate before going to work on the family farm. He moved to the farm when he was one year old and lived there his entire life. He married the love of his life, Donna (Rollo) Gagné on August 20, 1966, and they began their lives together on the Gagné Family Farm. They purchased the farm in 1967. Denis & Donna worked on the farm side-by-side and raised their three daughters. Donna lost her battle with breast cancer at the young age of 40. Denis remarried on July 5, 1985 to Kathleen (Jeanne), and they worked on the farm until his retirement. He was a proud milk producer for Hood and the St. Albans Co-Op. After retirement, Denis worked for Boucher Fertilizer and as grounds keeper for St. Louis Church in Highgate. Denis enjoyed going to dances with Donna and Kathleen over the years.

He was an active member of the Trans-Border Two Cylinder Tractor Club. He had many fond memories of plow days and corn harvests with the club. He could also be seen driving his tractors around town, or in parades and pulls throughout the area. In his spare time, Denis enjoyed bowling in the league in St. Albans. He was a long-time member of VAST, belonging to the Stump Jumpers. He rode his snowmobile on many miles of trails and was proud to have the trail run through his property. Denis loved to watch hockey, with his favorite teams being the Highgate North Stars, and later the MAHA and Missisquoi teams his grandchildren played on.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kathleen Gagné; three daughters, Karen (Allen) Fortin, Nancy (Joe) Commo, and Debra Gagné; his cherished grandchildren, Adam (Mollie) Fortin, Brian (Emily) Fortin, Caitlin (Brian) Dawicki, Jessica (Ted) Commo, Donna (Mike) Messier, Danielle (Joey) Bishop, and Christine (Tyler) Messier; great grandchildren, Jayden Laroche, and Hallie Fortin; sisters, Leonne (Howard) Bombardier, Bernadette (John) Rabideau, and Joanne (Rick) Mapes; sister-in-law, Liz Gagné; Donna's siblings, Larry (Sue) Rollo, Linda (Christopher) Reader, Doug (Linda) Rollo, and Mark (Lisa) Rollo. He is also survived by his three step-children and their families and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and aunts & uncles. Denis was predeceased by his parents, Rosaire & Henriette Gagné; his first wife and mother of his children, Donna Gagné; brothers, Marcel, Michael, and Terry Gagné; in-laws, Foster & Faustine Rollo; brother-in-law, Gary Rollo; and a step-son, Tim Desrochers.

Friends & family are invited to Denis' life celebration to include visitation from 5-7:00 PM on Friday, December 27, 2024 at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton, VT. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 10:00 AM until the hour of the service at the Goss Life Celebration Home. Interment will follow in St. Louis Cemetery in Highgate.

For those who wish, contributions in Denis' memory may be made to the Missisquoi Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA), P.O. Box 77, Highgate Center, VT 05459.

Condolences, photos and favorite memories may be shared through www.gossfs.com