College of Maine Fogler Library has obtained an $800,000 present from the property of Lee Gagnon, a member of the Class of 1959, to help an endowed memorial fund in honor of his dad and mom, in accordance with College of Maine Basis President/CEO Jeffery Mills.
The Lionel J. Gagnon and Germaine Fortin Gagnon Memorial Fund will present sources for the library’s procurement of sources, together with books, movies, tapes, pc gear, software program and provides, audio system, applications and supplies in perpetuity. The stability of the fund, established in 2000, now exceeds $1 million.
Gagnon, a local of Waterville, Maine who was residing in Charleson, Rhode Island, handed away Aug. 1, 2021 on the age of 83.
“This present will advance the power of the state’s largest analysis library to supply wonderful sources to our college group, throughout the College of Maine System and the state,” says UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy. “As a part of our Carnegie R1 top-tier analysis establishment, Fogler has a crucial function in supporting college students, school, workers and Maine residents.”
Gagnon, who graduated from UMaine with a level in economics, had a protracted and profitable profession in insurance coverage and banking in Connecticut, the place he raised his household. He retired from Webster Monetary Corp. as government vp, chief working officer and secretary. Gagnon served within the navy, each in energetic and reserve responsibility.
In line with Gagnon’s daughter, Terri Driscoll, he was grateful for the alternatives he had in his life and credited UMaine with offering him with the muse for his future success. He was an avid reader and all the time maintained a big library of his personal.
Gagnon’s brother Lawrence and two grandchildren are also UMaine graduates.
The Lionel J. and Germaine Fortin Gagnon Memorial Fund to learn Folger Library was established as a tribute to UMaine and to assist future college students.
Gagnon’s dad and mom had been married in 1936 and established a household farm in Oakland, Maine that they operated with their 4 youngsters. The couple retired in 1973. Gagnon cited fond reminiscences of rising up on the farm, and his dad and mom’ unconditional love, help and encouragement in his life endeavors as his motivation for honoring them with this present.
“Lee labored with Basis workers in 2000 to set this fund in place as part of his property planning course of. It is a good instance of how vital it’s to take the time to make sure that your needs are clearly outlined for these in control of dealing with your property. It is a traditional instance of a real legacy present and we’re very grateful to Lee for his beneficiant present and his religion in our providers,” says Mills.
Contact: Monique Hashey, monique@maine.edu