WESTFIELD – Raymond L. Gagnon MD, 87, of Westfield and a former longtime resident of Derby Dingle in Springfield, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, July 3, 2019. He passed into Eternal Life at Mount Saint Vincent Care Center in Holyoke surrounded by the care and comfort of his loving family and his wonderful caregivers. He was born in Berlin, New Hampshire on Independence Day, July 4, 1931, a beloved son of the late Joseph and Marie-Ange (Dupuis) Gagnon. He was raised in Berlin during his early years and finished his classical studies at the Seminary of Saint Charles-Borromée in Sherbrooke, P.Q., Canada. He then furthered his studies and received a Doctorate of Medicine Degree from the Universitée Laval in Quebec, Canada followed by a year of study in Ophthalmology in New Hampshire. He served part of his medical residency at Pittsfield General Hospital and Saint Luke’s Hospital in Pittsfield. In 1963, he came to Springfield and served as Chief Resident at the former Springfield Hospital. In 2007, Ray and Jeannine relocated to West Holyoke and became communicants of the former Holy Cross Church. In May of 2018, Raymond and his wife, Jeannine became residents of Armbrook Village in Westfield. Ray shared his love of music, sports and travel with his family. Ray’s faith filled life was inspired by his dream to serve people in other countries as a missionary. Ray and Jeannine’s home was always open to all. He operated his medical practice in Springfield for 40 years as Raymond L. Gagnon, MD. He was a dedicated compassionate physician who also served as a Civil Surgeon for the Department of Immigration, Nursing Homes, Veterans Affairs, the City of Chicopee and the Town of Agawam. He was always available to offer advice and assistance to comfort his many patients. He was a communicant of the former Saint Thomas Aquinas Church in Springfield where he served his parish as a Eucharistic Minister. He was also a communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield and currently a communicant of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Westfield. He was a member of the Fairview Council 4044 Knights of Columbus in Chicopee. He was inspired by The Silent Workers of the Cross in Rome and donated part of his property in Palmer to form the North American Branch of The Apostolate of the Suffering where he was a member. He was humbled and honored by the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II who bestowed on him the designation of Commander of the Pontifical Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great. He leaves his beloved wife and soul mate, Jeannine M. (Laliberte) Gagnon. They were married on August 16, 1958 at Saint Frederic Church in Drummondville, Province of Quebec, Canada and were blessed with over 60 years of happiness together. Besides his wife, he leaves his five loving children, Marie H. Gagnon of Rockaway Beach, NY, Lucie A. Charles and her husband, Henry, of Westfield, Louise A. Bouffard FiliAstolfone and her husband, Victor FiliAstolfone, of Springfield, John F. Gagnon and his wife, Lynn and Dominic R. Gagnon and his wife, Louise, all of West Springfield; his eight cherished grandchildren, Luke A. Charles, Sarah Elizabeth Charles and her fiancé, Jarrett Cherner, Eric P. Charles, Jonathan M. Bouffard, Benjamin R. Bouffard and his partner, Lauren Heaton, Gregory P. Gagnon, Geoffrey P. Gagnon, and James M. Gagnon; his cherished great-grandson who was the light of his life, Matthew J. Bouffard; his two dear sisters, Rita Frechette of Manchester, NH and Julienne Roy and her husband, Roger, of Bristol, CT; his dear brother, Paul Gagnon, MD and his wife, Wilda, of East Hartford, CT; his dear brother-in-law, Robert Laliberte and his wife, Jacqueline, of Drummondville, P.Q., Canada; his two dear sisters-in-law, Rose Laliberte of Montreal, P.Q., Canada and Lise Laliberte of Drummondville, P.Q., Canada; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, numerous friends, many patients and extended members of the Gagnon and Laliberte families. Besides his parents and his five Little Angels in Heaven, he was also predeceased by his loving son-in-law, Mark P. Bouffard who was Called Home on October 1, 1991; his two dear sisters, Sister Doris Gagnon of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and Laurette Gagnon; his three dear brothers, Ernest Gagnon, Father André Gagnon, and Arthur Gagnon; and his three dear brothers-in-law, Robert Frechette, Paul Emile Laliberte, and Richard Laliberte. His family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff of Trinity Health Care for their dedication and compassion during his illness. His funeral will be held on Wednesday morning, July 10, 2019 beginning at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, (funeral home will open at 8:30 a.m.), followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. His Entombment will follow the Mass at Saint Michael the Archangel Chapel Mausoleum, 1601 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109. His family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Ray’s family has requested that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in his memory to the Apostolate of the Suffering, Mary Farm, 1915 Ware Street, Palmer, MA 01069. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com