Marcel Gagne

HIGHGATE - Marcel J. Gagne, age 83, passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at the University of Vermont Medical Center in Burlington.

He was born in St. Albans on May 6, 1939 to the late Elphege & Dora (Lussier) Gagne.

Marcel attended Sacred Heart in Newport and St. Anne's Academy in Swanton. He then went on to run the family farm in Highgate. Marcel married the love of his life Jienette on October 10, 1959. They had four children and raised them on the farm. Marcel took pride in being an early adopter of new innovations. He transitioned their farm from dairy to poultry in 1965. He had the first in-ground pool in Highgate, and maybe even the first satellite dish too! Marcel was an active member of the Highgate community and he served as a selectman for the town for several years.

He loved camping, and he turned that passion into the Champlain Valley Campground in Swanton. He owned and operated the campground for nearly 20 years. They would spend the winter months in their motorhome in Florida. Marcel was the first DIY guy and there was nothing he couldn't make or fix - from woodworking to stained glass. He also loved his vegetable gardens, working the land with his tractor, the neighborhood card parties, and going for rides in his 1956 Thunder Bird.

He is survived by his wife, Jienette Gagne of Highgate; their children, Annette Roach and her husband Pete of Highgate, and Angel Gingras and her husband Todd of Highgate; daughter-in-law, Brenda Gagne of Bakersfield; ten grandchildren, Robert Roach and his wife Joyce, Daniel Roach, Corey Roach and his wife Kyla, Jennifer Roach, Whitney Bates and her husband Josh, Travis Gingras and his wife Desiree, Dillon Gingras and his significant other Liz, Dakota Gagne and his wife Taylor, Riley Gagne, and Cheyanne Gagne and her significant other Thomas; 6 great grandchildren; siblings, Aurele Gagne and his wife Diane, Gilbert Gagne and his wife Karen, Claude Gagne and his wife Mariette, and Fernand Gagne and his wife Patricia; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and life-long friends he met at the campgrounds in Vermont and Florida. In addition to his parents, Marcel was predeceased by his sons, Stephen Gagne, and Keith Gagne; and his brother, Gilles Gagne.

Family and friends are invited to Marcel's life celebration to include visitation on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 4-6:00 PM at the Goss Life Celebration Home, 89 Grand Avenue, Swanton. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 10:00 AM at St. Louis Catholic Church, Lamkin Street, Highgate. Interment will follow in St. Louis Catholic Cemetery in Highgate.

For those who wish, contributions in Marcel's memory may be made to the ALS Association, Northern New England Chapter, The Concord Center, 10 Ferry Street, Suite 438, Concord, NH 03301 or to the University of Vermont Cancer Center, 111 Colchester Avenue, Main Campus, Main Pavilion, Level 2, Burlington, VT 05401

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