Rockland honors late civic leader Dedication of bench memorializes Gagnon

ROCKLAND – City officials dedicated a bench in Bob Gagnon’s memory Saturday, but the picture friends and family painted of him revealed a man who wouldn’t have had time to use it.

Gagnon, a former Rockland councilor and civic leader, died last September at the age of 55 after a long battle with cancer.

He is remembered as a dedicated community volunteer who served in many capacities, including three terms on the City Council, all the while managing the city’s busy Shop ‘n Save store and tending to his beloved family.

In a brief ceremony, city officials, state legislators and family members gathered at Marie S. Reed Park near the Rockland Breakwater to dedicate a granite bench in memory of Gagnon.

“He was a tireless community worker,” Councilor Brian Harden recalled. “Bob Gagnon was the only councilor who told me the truth.”

While other former councilors said they had a fix on residents’ views on a particular issue, Harden explained, it was Gagnon who knew how people really felt.

Thousands passed Gagnon at the store each day, he said, and “he always listened to what people said.”

Mike McNeil, who served on the council with Gagnon, recalled many of the issues the city wrestled to resolution during his tenure.

“When you walk around town, think of Bob,” he said. “You see his hand everywhere.”

Gene Gagnon, Gagnon’s brother, said he never realized how involved his brother was in city affairs until recently. He said his sibling was happiest when he was deeply involved in an issue.

Thanks to Gagnon’s efforts, “a lot of lamps were lit,” the brother said.

Ed Mazurek, the city’s mayor, said that when it came to any cause, Gagnon “was always willing to help.”

And beyond being community-minded, Gagnon “was really just a nice guy,” Mazurek added.

In the mayor’s mind, the latter was the greatest compliment. “He, to me, was just a super guy,” Mazurek said.

“You don’t meet too may people in your lifetime that meet that criteria.”

Councilor Tom Molloy pledged to continue to work raising money for a radiation treatment center in the area, so cancer patients would not have to travel to Bath. Gagnon started the fund after he fell ill.

Rockland Police Chief Al Ockenfels said Gagnon consistently supported the department, and would be pleased to see the department’s harbor patrol boat, which idled in the water near the breakwater while officials spoke.

State Sen. Christine Savage and Rep. Deb McNeil also spoke briefly. McNeil looked at the small gathering of friends and family and said, “I see some tears, I see some smiles,” as Gagnon was remembered.

As officials spoke, Gagnon’s 18-month-old granddaughter Gracie O’Connell toddled over to the bench, leaned over to a framed photo of Gagnon that sat on it, and kissed the image of her late grandfather.