Claude James Gagnon Jr.
Claude James Gagnon, Jr.
Claude James Gagnon Jr., of Bothell, Washington, formerly of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was born in Green Bay, WI, and found true peace on July 25, 2025, at the age of 95.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mary Lou Gagnon; his sons, Tommy and Claude III; his grandson, Danny Agnew; and his sons-in-law, Paul Agnew and Pat Riordan.
Claude is survived by his son, Richard, of Salem, OR; and daughters Annette (Gene) of Milwaukee, WI, Mary (Harold) of Randolph, WI, Katy (Jim) of Shorewood, WI, Louise (Rich) of Bothell, WA, and Ellen of Bothell, WA. He was a proud grandfather to Sara, Mike, Brian, Sean, Kelsey, Tom, Amy, Katie, Peter, Jack, Amber, Lilly, Cassidy, Abigail, Annie, Mark, Liz, Tim, Mike, and John.
Claude was also blessed with a cherished group of great-grandchildren—often the sunshine in his day—Sophia, Josephine, Quinn, Lucy, Max, Hattie, June, True, Lucy, Owen, Eddie, Olivia, Luke, Mallory, Abbey, and Ethan. He leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who brought him joy throughout his life.
And to top off all these blessings, Claude had a wide circle of friends spanning generations—many of whom would say they lost their best friend. He loved his friends deeply and remained actively engaged in those relationships up until his final days.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the nursing staff and doctors of both Five and Six Silver at Evergreen Hospital in Kirkland, WA. Their kindness and gentleness toward our dad and his family did not go unnoticed, and our gratitude is immense. We are also deeply grateful to Dr. Portelance for his care and guidance over many years.
In Claude’s honor, please consider passing along an unexpected act of kindness, or by making a donation to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation or the American Cancer Society.
In Lieu of flowers please consider writing down a favorite story or memory from your time with our father/Claude. Feel free to bring it to the service or mail it to 3535 N. Hackett Ave Shorewood WI 53211 or 20322 96th Avenue NE Bothell WA 98011.
A Celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, August 12, 2025 at 2:30 PM at Edmonds Yacht Club 326 Admiral Way, Edmonds WA 98020.
Visitation on Wednesday, August 20th From 1:00-2:00 PM at Old St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 844 N. Broadway, Milwaukee, WI 53202. A Mass of Christian Burial to Follow.
7 Responses to “Claude James Gagnon Jr.”
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A relationship that began in the mid 1960s as banker & customer evolved into a friendship that endured until Claude passed. It included Packers football games with our wives, live theatre at the Melody Top, numerous luncheons & other reasons to get together. We visited him in the hospital when he lost his eye due to a boating accident, and he helped me build our pool shed at our house in Wind Point. He was a good friend and I’ll miss him. R.I.P. Claude.
The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation is truly sorry for your family’s loss. Please accept our condolences on the passing of your loved one.
I will miss the calenders he used to make us every Christmas. Rest in peace, grandpa. ❤️
I am so sorry for your loss. I will cherish the memories I have of Uncle Claude, our very handsome uncle.
I always enjoyed the stories he told me about his travels to Haiti. Visiting his friend whose chair was an overturned bucket. Sleeping on the roof of the orphanage. Selfish me would need a bed.
Visiting them in Marathon was a special time. Marylou was going through chemo and was tired, so Claude showed us around. Margaret got him a little tipsy and he drove us back to their condo (a little scary). He let us use the ac in the car but never wanted to use it in their car. Aunt Marylou hated that!
The memories you hold dear will get you through.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Mary N
The moment Claude walked into our group meeting in 2012, my wife and I knew this was man we needed to know. Mysterious, yet approachable. Honest, open, and willing to tell the group of his learnings, still in some ways an enigma.
Like Clint Eastwood in “High Plains Drifter”, Claude came into our midst with a command of the room with an authority he never abused.
A gentle man and a gentleman. The world lost a true hero.
The moment Claude walked into our group meeting in 2012, my wife and I knew this was a man we needed to know. Always honest, open, and willing to tell the group of his experiences, yet in some ways he remained an enigma.
Like Clint Eastwood in “High Plains Drifter”, Claude mysteriously appeared in our midst with a command of the room, and with an authority he never abused. If you were fortunate to have him as your sponsor, you know the gem that was Claude Gagnon.
A gentle man and a gentleman. The world lost a true hero.
I send my love and condolence to the family