Robert Y. Gagne, 85, of Deptford, New Jersey, passed away peacefully at home in the company of his loving wife of 66 years, Marie, and their family, on April 12, 2023.
Bob was born on May 13, 1937, and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Lionel and Hattie, his siblings, Gerry, Ronnie, Claude and Pauline, his son Rob and his wife Denise, and his grandson Christian.
Bob is survived by his wife Marie; his siblings Yogi and John; his son Paul and his wife Monica (Voci) and their daughter Alyssa; his son John and his wife Joanne (Myers) and their children, Matthew, Michael, Rachel and Mason; his daughter Michelle and her husband Bill (Ditzler) and their children Jessica, Travis, Billy and Chloe; his daughter Denise; his son Steve and his daughters Jacqueline and Danielle; his great grandchildren Avery, Canyon, Brandon, Levi, Sophia, Danny and Olivia; and scores of nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Bob married Marie, the love of his life, on February 16, 1957. After a brief stint in the Air-Force, Bob and Marie started a family that would eventually include six rambunctious but fairly well-behaved children. Money was tight in those days, but while Marie raised the kids, Bob worked as hard and as many hours as was necessary to provide for all the needs of his precious family.
Although a child of the city, Bob loved the outdoors; family vacations included camping and fishing.He somehow found time to pursue a hobby, growing gladiolus on rented land outside the city. It seemed to others to be more work than hobby, but it grew into a passion.
In the early 1970s, Bob made the monumental decision to move his family to what was at that time very rural South Jersey. He wanted to raise his family in an environment that was better than the quickly decaying inner city, while at the same time turning his passion for agriculture and horticulture into a career.
The move to the country was a culture shock, but everyone quickly adapted, and Bob spent the rest of his life making things grow at Summerville Gladiolus Farm, Delaware Valley Florists, Scott Family Nursery, in his own field of mums, and in his lovely home garden.
Bob taught us all by example to work hard, to be honest, to do the right thing, to forgive any wrongs, and to follow your dreams. Bob’s legacy is in the good hearts, good deeds, and the successes and positive impact of his growing family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, many of whom are following his gardening and cultivating tradition, and making our world a little more beautiful.
The door to Bob’s house was always open to family and friends in need, as we know the door to God’s House will be open for Bob.
Visitation 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., at The Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, 17 Earlington Avenue, Mullica Hill, New Jersey, 08062.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to The Red Cross.
Fertig Funeral Home
Bob was born on May 13, 1937, and raised in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Lionel and Hattie, his siblings, Gerry, Ronnie, Claude and Pauline, his son Rob and his wife Denise, and his grandson Christian.
Bob is survived by his wife Marie; his siblings Yogi and John; his son Paul and his wife Monica (Voci) and their daughter Alyssa; his son John and his wife Joanne (Myers) and their children, Matthew, Michael, Rachel and Mason; his daughter Michelle and her husband Bill (Ditzler) and their children Jessica, Travis, Billy and Chloe; his daughter Denise; his son Steve and his daughters Jacqueline and Danielle; his great grandchildren Avery, Canyon, Brandon, Levi, Sophia, Danny and Olivia; and scores of nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Bob married Marie, the love of his life, on February 16, 1957. After a brief stint in the Air-Force, Bob and Marie started a family that would eventually include six rambunctious but fairly well-behaved children. Money was tight in those days, but while Marie raised the kids, Bob worked as hard and as many hours as was necessary to provide for all the needs of his precious family.
Although a child of the city, Bob loved the outdoors; family vacations included camping and fishing.He somehow found time to pursue a hobby, growing gladiolus on rented land outside the city. It seemed to others to be more work than hobby, but it grew into a passion.
In the early 1970s, Bob made the monumental decision to move his family to what was at that time very rural South Jersey. He wanted to raise his family in an environment that was better than the quickly decaying inner city, while at the same time turning his passion for agriculture and horticulture into a career.
The move to the country was a culture shock, but everyone quickly adapted, and Bob spent the rest of his life making things grow at Summerville Gladiolus Farm, Delaware Valley Florists, Scott Family Nursery, in his own field of mums, and in his lovely home garden.
Bob taught us all by example to work hard, to be honest, to do the right thing, to forgive any wrongs, and to follow your dreams. Bob’s legacy is in the good hearts, good deeds, and the successes and positive impact of his growing family of children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, many of whom are following his gardening and cultivating tradition, and making our world a little more beautiful.
The door to Bob’s house was always open to family and friends in need, as we know the door to God’s House will be open for Bob.
Visitation 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2023, followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m., at The Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, 17 Earlington Avenue, Mullica Hill, New Jersey, 08062.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bob’s name to The Red Cross.
Fertig Funeral Home
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