East Millinocket – Valdor “Val” Gagnon, 86, a devout Catholic, passed away unexpectedly to be with his Lord, on Sunday February 22, 2015. He was born on November 2, 1928 in Fort Kent, the son of Onesime and Margaret (Deschaine) Gagnon. Val is survived by the love of his life and wife of 67 years, Lorette (Daigle) Gagnon. He is also survived by his children and their spouses, Bryan and Bernadette Gagnon, Gail and Don Helstrom, Ann Marie and Sterling Thompson, David and Marilyn Gagnon, and Darrell and Kim Gagnon; his grandchildren, Melissa Gagnon and fiancé Gene Michaud, Jason and Brittany Gagnon, Darrick and Stephanie Thompson, Erica and Jason Ingalls, Nicholas Gagnon, Shana and Chris Hull, Amanda and Rusty Dicker, and Joshua Gagnon and his partner Ashley Brunell; great grandchildren, Logan Marie, Dylan, Landen, Kade, Jace, Cody, Morgan, Justin, Travis, Kylie, Ryan, Avery, Caroline, R.J., Jenna, and Adelynne; great great grandchildren, Wyatt, Aylah-Mae, and Isabella; three special sisters in law, Angie, Rita, and Yvette; and many nieces, nephews, and friends he was very fond of. In addition to his parents, Val was predeceased by twelve siblings and a great great grandson. Val was a hard worker and while living in Fort Kent as a young man worked in the potato fields and the starch factory. In 1954, he went to East Millinocket with his father in law to help build houses. While there, he was hired by the Great Northern Paper Company and in 1956 he moved his family and raised them there. He worked for 32 years at GNP, retiring at the age of 58 in 1985. After retiring, he and Lorette wintered in Florida for 14 years and spent their summer at their camp in Eagle Lake, where they enjoyed many good times with family and friends. He spent many hours taking care of his vegetable garden and patrolling the lake in his boat. Val was a great presence in life who loved people and good times. He loved to sing and dance and you could usually get him to reminisce about days past and family. Friends are invited to visit with the family 4-7 P.M. Thursday, February 26 at the Lamson Funeral Home, 17 Western Ave., East Millinocket. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 11 A.M. Friday, February 27 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Christ the Divine Mercy Parish, 58 Cedar St., East Millinocket, with the Rev. Bruce Siket, pastor, presider. Spring interment will be at the East Millinocket Cemetery. Gifts in memory of Val may be sent to the charity of one’s choice or to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 58 Cedar St., East Millinocket, ME 04430.