Paul M. Gagnon M.D.

Paul M. Gagnon, M.D., 88, of East Hartford, loving husband of 63 years of Wilda Grace (Browne) Gagnon peacefully entered into eternal life surrounded by his beloved family on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. He was born in Berlin, New Hampshire, son of the late Joseph and Marie-Ange (Dupuis) Gagnon.

His father encouraged him to accelerate his education, beginning with high school in Sherbrook, Quebec, graduating from Loyola College in Montreal, Quebec at 19 years old, and culminating with a medical degree from the University of Ottawa in Ottawa, Ontario.

Paul met the love of his life Wilda when he knocked on a door looking for an apartment while in medical school in Ottawa. He often told us that the first time he saw Wilda he knew she was the girl he would marry. They married in 1962 and had Diane then Pierre, both born in Canada. Paul interned in Springfield, MA, alongside his brother, Dr. Raymond Gagnon. He was drafted into the Army Medical Corps during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Bronze Medal for heroic action. Upon his return home he did his residency in pediatrics at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford, CT and during this time Marc was born in the US. Paul began practicing as a full-time pediatrician in East Hartford and Glastonbury, CT. Paul and Wilda settled by the flood plains of the Connecticut River. They welcomed their youngest daughter Michelle, also a US citizen. Paul was a jokester so the fact that the family was 50% American and 50% Canadian made for fun every time they crossed the border during annual trips to visit Canadian relatives.

Paul lived a life full of love and with a deep devotion to his Catholic faith, his family and his patients. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. He practiced his faith by visiting and praying with prisoners, distributing communion as a Eucharistic Minister at church and in nursing homes, teaching CCD, delivering Meals on Wheels, making and distributing rosaries, taking a missionary trip to Haiti, building homes with Habitat for Humanity and working at the food bank. He enjoyed fishing and hunting with Pierre and Marc, skiing, gardening, playing tennis and ping pong with his children and grandchildren, visiting the casino and the beach, vacationing at Roger’s Campground, and eating ice cream. He attended numerous sporting and dance events for his children and grandchildren, the lights of his life, always proud of them and supporting them with his never-ending love, his grandchildren knew him as Poppy / Pop. He had a healthy rivalry with his family over his Yankees and their Red Sox / Orioles. His love of family was vast, he organized many special family get-togethers and trips. He loved his siblings, in-laws, nieces and nephews and developed special relationships with each of them. He was a dedicated, compassionate physician, often making house calls to visit sick patients in the middle of the night.

In 1982 Paul lost his son Pierre suddenly in a tragic car accident. With faith being the foundation of his life, he found strength, comfort and purpose in the hardest of times. He was instrumental in the opening and oversight of the Adoration Chapel at St. Mary’s Church, a place of prayer and comfort to many for 33 years.

Paul is survived by his loving wife Wilda and three children, Diane C. Scanlon and her husband Edward, Marc R. Gagnon and his fiancée, Michelle Farr, and Michelle R. Taylor and her husband Brian. He also leaves behind his eleven cherished grandchildren: Susan Gueble, M.D., Ph.D. and her husband Stephen, Christine Scanlon, Rebecca Scanlon, Laura Scanlon, Melissa Scanlon, Rachel Gagnon, Joseph Gagnon, Sarah Gagnon, Michael Gagnon, Jacob Taylor and Luke Taylor, as well as two adored great-grandchildren, Callan Gueble and Madeline Paulette Gueble. Paul is also survived by his brother-in law Roger Roy and his wife’s siblings: James Browne and his wife Jane, Ronald Browne and his wife Dianne, Charles Browne and his wife Debbie, and Norma Richards and her husband Robert, along with many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his loving son, Pierre J. Gagnon of East Hartford, his dear eight siblings; Dr. Raymond Gagnon, Fr. Andy Gagnon, Ernest Gagnon, Arthur Gagnon, Laurette Gagnon, Sr. Doris Gagnon, Rita Frechette and Julienne Roy; and his sister-in law, Jeanine Gagnon and brother-in law Robert Frechette.

His family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff of Livewell for their dedication and compassion during his illness.

The funeral mass will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10:30am at St. Mary’s Church of North American Martyrs, 15 Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford, CT. Calling hours will precede the funeral mass from 9am to 9:45am at D’Esopo East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford, CT. Burial with military honors will take place following the funeral at St. Mary’s Cemetery (Section R1), 930 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, CT.

In lieu of flowers, mass requests or donations to a charity of your choice in Paul’s name are appreciated. For on-line expressions of sympathy to family, please visit www.desopoeh.com