James E. Gagne, 76, was guided home by his heavenly angels on Thursday, March 13, 2025, with his loving family surrounding his bedside.
Jimmy was born in 1948 in San Diego, CA, to the late Cliff and Madeleine Gagne. At a young age, his family relocated to Norfolk, VA, where he resided for the last 75 years. He graduated from Granby High School in the Class of ‘66. After graduation, he held a few jobs before starting his 53-year career as an automotive technician and state inspector. Shortly after starting at Roughton Pontiac, he met his future bride, Jesse. They went on a half-blind date (he saw her at a church bazaar, but she didn’t see him for the first time until their date), and the rest was history. They were married on St. Patrick’s Day in 1973. Their happy family grew to five with the addition of three children.
Jimmy G, as he was affectionately known by his friends and colleagues, was a hard worker who always showed up. He stayed with Roughton for 33 years until they closed and then went to work for Perry Buick. Jimmy was a lifelong member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church and active in the Knights of Columbus. He rose through all the chairs at Council #3548 and was the Past Grand Knight from 1999-2000. He held office in the 4th Degree as a Past Faithful Navigator and Past Commander of the Color Guard. He was also active in the Alhambra for a period of time. He was a member of Club 60 and the Ocean View Democratic and Social Club.
Jimmy was a loving person with a unique sense of humor. He enjoyed music and movies. You could always count on him for help with car troubles, and he had a special knack for finding the “God-sent” car for people in need. If he met you, he would never forget your birthday. He gave everyone a nickname, although not everyone knew theirs. He had a passion for all animals that went beyond pets. He loved to feed the birds and all the other backyard critters that showed up. In days gone by, you could find him at the beach with his family, listening to the radio and enjoying the surf, sun, and suds.
Jimmy was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Peter Gagne. He is survived by his beloved wife of almost 52 years, Jesse Gagne; children Roger Gagne, Regina Gagne West (Dan), and Angela George (John); six grandsons, Gabe, Aaron, Jake, Noah, Sam, and James; siblings Francine Gagne, David Gagne (Diana), Suzanne Gannon, Robert Gagne (Ruland) and Cecilia Thorner (Jack); sisters-in-law, Helen White, Maureen White SNDdeN, Cecelia White, Jean Partain (John), Margaret Holland and Rose Kennedy (Donald) and an aunt, Jeanne Lemlin. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, his rescue cat, Fred, and his 99 Z28 Camaro.
A Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with a Chalice Ceremony starting at 10:30 am. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Jimmy’s family would like to thank the ER and ICU doctors, nurses, and staff at Sentara Leigh for the dedication and care they gave him. They would also like to thank the staff of Peninsula Funeral Home for helping his family during this most difficult time. Because of Jimmy’s special love for animals, the family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, please honor his memory with memorial contributions to: Norfolk SPCA, 916 Ballentine Blvd. Norfolk, VA 23504 (https://norfolkspca.com/donate/)
21 Comments
Prayers For Jimmy’s Spirit & The Family 🙏🙏🙏
Your family is in my prayers. I’m so sorry.
Love Jean Borkowski
My condolences to the Gagne family.
Prayers for the family Jimmy was a great guy and I have enjoyed our conversations 🙏 ❤️
Since we were neighbors, I have known Jimmy for many years and enjoyed his friendship and quick wit!! Mike and I enjoyed many events with he and Jesse at the KofC and Holy Trinity. Rest in peace, Jimmy and prayers for your family! ❤️
My deepest sympathies to Jesse and Angela and the rest of the family.
My condolences to Jimmy G’s family. I worked with Jimmy at Perry Buick. Jimmy was a great technician, friend and man. Jimmy will be missed.
I met Jimmy and Jesse when I first started serving as a Eucharistic minister at Holy Trinity. He was always smiling and so very upbeat, and you could always count on him being there if he was scheduled! My deepest sympathy to his cherished family. Rest in peace Jimmy.🙏🏻
May God bless the Gagne family.
My sincere condolences to Jesse and all the family. Jimmy was a great guy and a wonderful friend.
Thinking of all of you at this time of sorrow and know how much I love you, my southern family.
What a great guy. Always smiling and making people laugh! Fun times at K of C. Loved the oyster roasts! I served mass many times with Jim and Jesse. A beautiful couple. May the lord comfort Jesse and family at this difficult time while Jim rests in his arms.
My sincere condolences to Jesse and family. Mr. Jimmie was a very nice man. Love 💕🙏💖 you all.
I love you Dad❤️, I miss you so much ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thinking of all of you during this difficult time and praying for peace and comfort in the coming days. RIP Jimmy……
I’m so sorry for your loss. Jimmy was a great guy who always liked to tease me about my car purchase choices. Whenever we talked, he kept me laughing. I’ll miss him. Sending prayers and hugs to his family.
Jimmy was always ready to take car of our car, enjoyed he and Jesse at the Alhambra meetings, the Kof C meant a lot to him as he passed thru the offices, God Bless the family and may he rest in Peace with the Glory of God.
Dear Jesse, My heart goes out to you and your children and grandchildren at this difficult and sad time. You are in my prayers.
Love, Carol
My thoughts and prayers are with the Gagne family. God Bless you Jimmy.
For days I’ve been searching for the words to say and they all come out in tears. We’ve loved you all so very much for such a long time and considered you as an extension of our family. There are so many cherished memories that watching all of us growing older breaks my heart. I pray God embraces Jimmy in a way that lets him know our love for him lives on.
Love Jimmy’s “Rag Doll” cousin,
Ginny
Growing up the Gagne family lived on Esquire Court and I lived across Grove on Esquire Street. Jimmy and I both worked at little Belo on Bayview Blvd. I also had a newspaper route with Jimmy, it could have been one of his brothers. We met his daughter, Angela, at the Demo and would run into Jimmy and his wife at Polish nights and St Patrick’s Day parades at the K of C, the Demo or just around OV/Bayview. Jimmy always had a good smile and great laugh. Sending our sincere condolences to Angela, Jimmy’s wife and family. RIP my friend.