Omer J. GAGNON

Omer J. Gagnon -- February 8, 1935 - March 20, 2005 -- NORWICH- Mr. Omer J. Gagnon of 22 Tetreault Avenue, Norwich, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed into eternal life unexpectedly Sunday evening after being stricken at home. He was born in Taftville, CT, the son of Ernest and Alma (Paquette) Gagnon.Mr. Gagnon was a resident of Taftville for 55 years before relocating to Norwich. He graduated from the Norwich Free Academy in 1954, received a BS in Education from Willimantic State Teacher's College in 1960, and his Masters Degree in Guidance from the University of Connecticut. Mr. Gagnon taught 8th grade Science at Fields Memorial School in Bozrah and was a Guidance Counselor at Kelly Junior High, but spent most of his career as a Guidance Counselor at Plainfield High School, retiring in 1996.He was united in marriage on April 27, 1957 to Patricia Ann Juzwic, who survives him. In addition to his wife of 48 years, Omer leaves his children and grandchildren: Sherry Lynn (Gagnon) Hinchey of Norwich, her husband Matthew and their daughter Sara; David Gagnon of Lisbon, his wife Sally (Loveland) and their daughters, Ashley, Abigail, and Mallory; Kevin Gagnon of Norwich, his wife Tammy (Faille) and daughter Sydney; and Scott Gagnon of North Franklin, his wife Mayra (Sears) and their son Andrew, a sister Shirley (Gagnon) Shaw of IL, and several nieces and nephews.Omer was an avid outdoorsman and loved birdwatching as well as trapping. He was also an outstanding semipro basketball player during the 1950's and 1960's, known best for perfecting the two - handed jump shot. He played for the Shyma Club in Taftville and Norwich Hospital teams. He was selected to the AllStar Team of the Norwich Bulletin Record Tournament. Omer was also an outstanding performer in the Norwich City Basketball and Baseball Leagues, and was inducted into the Norwich Sports Hall of Fame in 1980. He coached numerous teams throughout his life, including Taftville Little League, American Legion Baseball, Church Youth League Basketball and Thames Valley Technical Community College Girl's Basketball team. The years spent coaching basketball at Plainfield High School from 19681975 were his most memorable and he was honored as "The Gentleman Coach" and was recognized with Good Sportsmanship awards throughout his coaching career.Omer was very active in many other organizations in the community. They included being a member of the Shyma Club, the SOS Club, and a Eucharistic Minister at Sacred Heart Church in Taftville. He and his wife thoroughly enjoyed the time spent with their many friends in the St. Mary's Travelers and Griswold Senior Citizens groups. Omer also looked forward to his triweekly sessions at the Cardiac Rehab Clinic at the W.W. Backus Hospital, which he attended faithfully for the past five years.He was a constant source of goodness, strength and forgiveness and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the W.W. Backus Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, 326 Washington Street, Norwich, CT 06360 or the Sacred Heart Parish Life Center, 156 Providence Street, Taftville, CT 06380.Visitation Tuesday 47 p.m. at Labenski Funeral Home, 107 Boswell Avenue, Norwich, where the funeral will assemble on Wednesday at 12:00 noon, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Sacred Heart Church, Taftville at 1 p.m. burial to follow in St. Joseph Cemetery.