Unity, N.H. —
He was born in Sharon, Vt. on March 21, 1930 the son of Daniel and Florence (LaClair) Gagner.
He spent most of his life in Cornish, N.H. He always operated heavy equipment and started with his uncles at LaClair Brothers. He worked for many different companies and had also been a mechanic for the Town of Newport. For many years he owned and operated Paul’s Garage in Lempster.
While serving in the US Army during Korea he ran a steam shovel. Paul was a former member of the Newport Fire Department. He also loved working in his basement doing woodworking during the winter months often with his friend, Rusty Thornton and built several homes with his son, Jim.
He enjoyed taking road trips especially to the mountains. One of the highlights was his trip to Branson, Missouri to go to Dollywood and also seeing both the baseball and basketball Halls of Fame and enjoyed going to his Army reunions. When he was younger he liked to snowmobile, keep up with NASCAR, go to the stock car races and every Father’s Day enjoyed a trip to Loudon to watch the races.
His wife of 61 years, Ruth (Barrett) Gagner, died in 2013. He is survived by two sons, Brian and his wife, Donna Gagner and James Gagner both of Newport, N.H.; two grandchildren; one great granddaughter; two brothers, Stanley Gagner of North Bergen, N.J. and Gordon Gagner of Canaan, NH; nieces, nephews and cousins.
A graveside service will be held in Old Main Street Cemetery, New London, N.H. later in the summer.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Newport Fire Department, 11 Sunapee Street, Newport, NH 03773.
Chadwick Funeral Service of New London, N.H. is assisting the family with arrangements.