Bernard A. Gagne, 103, of Haverhill, died Sunday, May 21, at Penacook Place Nursing Home, Haverhill.
He was born in Middleboro, son of the late Alexis J. and Honorine (Rioux) Gagne. Gagne grew up and lived all his life in Haverhill. He attended Haverhill schools and worked for most of his life at DuGrenier Machinery before founding TechCoating with his brother John in the early 1960s. After his retirement, he continued to work as a part-time consultant in his field of tool design. He was artistic and enjoyed using his skills to create art in different mediums such as charcoal drawing, intricate crewel work, weaving and rug hooking and design. Gagne also enjoyed bird watching and spent the years of his early retirement traveling the country and bird watching with his wife Rose.
Gagne led a full and active life into his mid-90s. He enjoyed his later years living at Phoenix Row where he participated in many activities and developed many friendships. For the last two years, he has resided at Penacook Place Nursing Home and continued to be active up until the last few months of his life.
He was predeceased by his wife, Rose Wheaton Gagne as well as his brothers, Roland, Robert and A. John Gagne and sister Constance Donahue. He leaves three daughters, Diane Coffin of Danvers, Sandra Valera of Saco, Maine, and Betty Gagne-Iuele and her husband, James Iuele of Haverhill; five grandchildren, Whitney V. Coffin Jr. of Methuen, Douglas Coffin of Danvers, Stacey Tarpy of Haverhill, Marci Dion of North Berwick, Maine and Jason Valera of Gardiner, Maine; and 11 great grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend his visitation Tuesday, May 30, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Berube-Comeau Funeral Home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial follows the visitation at 11, at All Saints Church. Burial follows at St. Joseph Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Penacook Place Activities Fund, 150 Water Street, Haverhill, MA 01830.