Wilfred Charles Gagnon

Wilfred Charles Gagnon, 93, a longtime resident of Fairfax, Virginia, and more recently of Frederick, Maryland, passed from this life on Thursday, April 16, 2026 at his residence, surrounded by family. He was the beloved husband of Janet Marie Gagnon, his wife of 67 years.

Born on October 8, 1932, in Salem, Massachusetts, he was the son of the late Wilfred George Gagnon and Emma LaBelle Gagnon.

Known as "Chick," he played high school basketball and ran track for the Salem Witches. He served in the Korean war with the Air Force and was an amateur boxer. Known as “Kid Gagnon,” he toured Europe and Africa for bouts. He attended Kirksville College but left before graduation to help the family after his father’s injury. After an honorable discharge, he joined the Foreign Service with tours in England, Lebanon, El Salvador, Guatemala, Miami, Iran and Zaire, and served in Paris during the Paris Peace Talks. After retirement he was an inveterate maker of Christmas ornaments and other crafts for the family and enjoyed woodworking. A lover of George Mason athletics, he worked for the basketball program for 27 years. He also followed the Washington Redskins and Premiere League soccer, and continued to stay active in athletics with his family until old age. He was very devoted to his family.

Surviving in addition to his wife are four children: Steven Charles Gagnon, Douglas Charles Gagnon, Gregory John Gagnon and Julie Ann Fleitz and their spouses Jennifer Friel, Elizabeth Munley, Wendy Gladin and Fred Fleitz. Also surviving are his grandchildren Nicole Marie Gagnon Curtis, Justin Charles Gagnon, Nathan Paige Gagnon, Darcy Jay Gagnon, Tedd Cassidy Gagnon, Jack Richard Gagnon, Joseph Roger Gagnon, Jonathan Robert Gagnon, Fred Charles Fleitz and Marie Catherine Fleitz. Four great-grandchildren also survive; Elise, Jase, Hollis and Willow.

A Memorial Mass will take place at 9:30 am on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor Catholic Church, 5843 Manor Woods Road in Frederick, MD. Interment will be at St. Joseph on Carrollton Manor Cemetery in Frederick, MD.

Expressions of sympathy may be offered to the family at StaufferFuneralHome.com.