Allen William Gagnon, also know to many as “Red”, 71, of Wiscasset, passed peacefully on June 13 at Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston surrounded by his family.
He was born in Jackman on Sept. 4, 1936, a son of Ralph and Lucille (Poulin) Gagnon. He attended schools in Jackman, Biddeford, Wiscasset, Connecticut and Vermont. For a time he operated a trailer park in Sandy Hook, Conn. On Nov. 30, 1957 he married Ann Quinnam and in 1964 they returned to Wiscasset where he owned and operated Gagnon’s Trailer Park. He was employed at Bath Iron Works as a painter for 12 years and then established Gagnon’s Catering as well as Al’s Place and Pizzeria in Wiscasset.
In 1977, Al purchased Red’s Eats on Route 1 in Wiscasset. Through his hard work, engaging personality, insistence on quality food and service turned a small roadside food stand into an icon in the State of Maine. It is impossible to miss the long line of Red’s customers on lower Main Street during the summer time. Included among many celebrities who have stopped at Red’s are Paul Newman, Kevin Costner, Martha Stewart, Tom Cruise and Chief Justice Roberts. The small food stand has been featured in a number of television programs and publications. Red’s Eats will continue on in the same tradition under the guidance of Al’s children.
Al was blessed with the ability to make friends instantly and remember faces. He was comfortable in any situation from reaching out and touching Pope John Paul to partying with total strangers in foreign lands where he couldn t speak the language.
Although the business of Red’s Eats was a large part of Al’s life, his family and many friends played a greater role. He was devoted to his children, grandchildren and great grandson. Being one of nine children, Al took ownership of the family homestead on Birch Point Rd. and kept it open as the central meeting place for family members to stay and hosted innumerable family gatherings, parties and celebrations.
Al’s interests included showing his Boxer dogs, music, singing, luxury cars, antique autos, traveling with friends and family, playing cards and enjoying life to the fullest. He was a large man with a large appetite and a roaring laugh who spread love and laughter wherever he went.
Al is survived by two daughters, Deborah Cronk and husband David of Wiscasset, and Cynthia Collamore and husband Rex of Wiscasset; two sons, David Gagnon and wife Debbie of Wiscasset, and Joseph Gagnon of Wiscasset, five grandchildren, Ashley Gagnon, Sara Gagnon, Cassandra Fairfield Bickford, P.J. Fairfield and Christopher Fairfield; one great grandson, Bryan Gagnon; six sisters, Simone Gilbert of Standish, Lillian Colby and husband Leroy of Wiscasset, Janet Steeves and husband Merle of Standish, Isabel Lewis and husband Vincent of Boothbay, Patricia Grant and husband Edward of Wiscasset and Cheryl Squires and husband Steven of Portland; two brothers, Ralph Gagnon, Jr. and wife Joyce of Wiscasset and James Gagnon and wife Lucille of Newman, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Visiting hours 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Thurs., June 19 at Daigle Funeral Home, 40 Federal St., Wiscasset. Mass of Christian burial 2 p.m., Fri., June 20 at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Newcastle. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset. A gathering of family and friends will follow at Al’s home on Birch Point Road.
