Paul Gagnon

Paul Gagnon, age 21 of Taunton and Lakeville, passed away suddenly on July 17, 2023.

Paul was the only child of Michael Gagnon, Taunton Police Department, Ret., and Jessica (Berthelot) McDonnell, Corrections Officer, of Lakeville. Paul was born in Boston, MA and grew up in Lakeville with his mom, stepdad Thomas and sister Ashlynn.  He loved vacationing in Tennessee with his grandparents. It was during those summer vacations, with his grandfather Joe, that Paul learned and realized his passion for automotive mechanics.

In addition to his parents, Paul is survived by: His brother, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Gagnon, Jr., and wife Megan Katherine Gagnon, of Plympton and their children, nephews Gavin (9), Brady (5), and Charlie (2); his sisters Ashlynn of Lakeville and Meghan Elizabeth Gagnon of Plymouth and her children, niece Sarah (9) and nephew Thomas (4); stepfather Thomas McDonnell of Lakeville; paternal grandparents Roland R. and Sandra (Pelletier) Gagnon; maternal grandparents Joseph Berthelot, Sr. and Cheryl Chobanian. Paul will also be missed by many friends, aunts, uncles, and cousins on both sides of his family

Paul was a free spirit who loved the outdoors and began riding dirt bikes at the age of 5. He started competitively racing at the age of 6 and enjoyed many races through J Day Offroad. He was a member of the Pilgrim Sands Trail Riders Association and was most happy wearing a helmet.

His love of motorsports and handiwork evolved into an interest in mechanics. Paul attended high school at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School and graduated with a specialty in Automotive Technology. He was described by supervisors and coworkers as a hardworking young man with unmatched skill and work ethic at his employer, Luciano’s Excavating, Inc. of East Taunton, MA. Paul worked as a heavy-duty diesel fleet mechanic for the company, where he felt very much at home and supported like a member of their family.

Always a light in the room, Paul’s personality was electric. From his earliest memories until his last moments two things rang true for Paul: he was always on the move, and he liked to get into dirty work with his hands. It made sense that he would develop a love of motorcycles and a passion for riding and working on one of his own.

Paul’s heart was made of gold, and he made friends wherever he went. It has been said by those who knew him from an early age that Paul had a knack for taking others under his wing; he shared his confidence, sense of humor, and impressively quick wit and utilized those traits as a tool to support friends, new and old. He loved his family and cherished time spent with them. His smile and stories were the highlight of every holiday meal.

Paul’s funeral will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at 8:30am from the Silva Funeral Home 80 Broadway (at Saint Mary’s Square) Taunton, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10am in Saint Mary’s Church, Taunton.

Interment will follow at Saint Joseph Cemetery, Taunton.

Visiting hours will be held on Tuesday, July 25th from 4:00pm to 8:00pm in the Silva Funeral Home. Additional parking with handicap access is located on the North side of the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts made to St. Jude’s Hospital in Paul’s memory, would be deeply appreciated.

For expressions of sympathy, to sign an online guestbook or to light a memorial candle, visit www.silvafuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Paul Gagnon, please visit our floral store.