Jean-Marie was born in La Tuque, Quebec to Rosaire Thomas Gagné of Lac-à-la Tortue, Que and Elodie Elda Gagné (nee Paré) of St-Malachie, Que. Jean-Marie was the oldest of eight siblings, which included: Luce Lafrance (nee Gagné), Pierre Gagné, Céline D’Aôut (nee Gagné), Michel Gagné, Nicole Bédard (nee Gagné), Andrée Didier (nee Gagné), Lise Tremblay (nee Gagné) and Dr. Gilbert Gagné.Jean-Marie is pre-deceased by his spouse, Marie-Thérèse Gagné (nee Holterbosch), his parents and seven of his siblings. He is survived by his sister Lise Tremblay (nee Gagné) of Buckingham, Que, his son Jacques Jean Pierre Gagné of Winnipeg, his grand-daughter Michelinne Gonek, his son-in-law Darren Gonek, P Eng of Ottawa, and his grandson, Master-Corporal Joel Gagné (1 PPCLI) of Edmonton.

Jean-Marie grew up in and around La Tuque, Que and over the years moved with his family to various communities including Montreal and Buckingham, Quebec. He worked for various industries including a paint manufacturer, until he settled into a trade as an electrician. By 1948, he enrolled with the Royal Canadian Air Force as an LAC and applied his trade to the area of building maintenance and capital construction. He was posted to various locations including Borden, Calgary, Goose Bay, Grostenquin (France), St-Hubert, Bagotville, Baden-Soellingen (Germany), St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, and finally Ottawa where he and Marie-Thérèse settled down in 1975. Jean-Marie had many accomplishments over the years; including operations coordinator for the general rehearsal leading to the 1976 Montreal Olympics, and seeing completion of the “Mega”… Canadian Forces Recruit School complex (circa 1978) at St-Jean-sur-Richelieu.

Jean-Marie retired as a Major with the Engineer Branch of the CF in 1977, and pursued a second career as a civil servant with the Department of Defence (DND) where he remained until his full retirement in 1992. Throughout his private life, Jean-Marie was a devoted father, grand-father and husband. Jean-Marie loved to travel and enjoyed his many trips to Europe both on business and alongside Marie-Thérèse. He also volunteered many hours and chaired the volunteer advisory committee of the Condo Owner’s association of Brittany Place (Ottawa), and contributed to the maintenance, and oversight of many projects at that location.

Jean-Marie passed away in residence at Manoir Héritage on Monday 31 July, 2017. He is loved and will be missed by his family and friends. The family would like to thank the staff of Chartwell Héritage (le Manoir) for their care and support these last few years.

At the family’s request, there will be no viewing or funeral. Jean-Marie will be laid to rest alongside Marie-Thérèse during a private family service at Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services. For messages of condolence, please visit www.beechwoodottawa.ca