Paul Gagnon was a listener.
Those who knew him recall his gentle energy, the way he made people feel heard and understood.
He carried this energy with him wherever he went, not just as Pembroke’s Fire Chief or an officer for the Concord Police Department, but as an active member of his church and as the pillar of his large, close-knit family.
Gagnon’s quiet leadership set him apart.
“I find that public service commitment to be at the heart of who my father is,” said his daughter, Janelle Lavin. “And I try to live my life each day emulating that to the best of my ability, because he’s my hero.”
Her father was a humble man and “a lot of people’s hero,” she said.
He passed away at the end of May following a brief illness, having touched a remarkable number of lives during his seven decades.
Born in Concord, Gagnon grew up in Pembroke and remained in the community until his final days. He joined the Pembroke Fire Department in 1974 and rose through the ranks all the way to chief in 2021, a role he held until his retirement last year. Gagnon also served in the National Guard and the Concord Police Department, where he worked as a juvenile detective and spent a year as the president of the New Hampshire Police Association.
“We watched him have grace with everything that he did,” said his niece, Jenny Jones. “He made people feel as though he was never sitting across the table for a conversation, that he was sitting next to you.”
At a celebration of his life on Friday, Grace Capital Church Pastor Mark Warren described Gagnon as “a family man” — and not just to those with whom he shared common blood. He forged familial bonds with his fellow firefighters, police officers, churchgoers and community members and “served wherever he went.”
“You just knew when Paul was in the room that everything would be okay, that quiet natural strength that he carried with him wherever he went,” said Warren.
He was a devoted husband to Pam, his wife of 46 years, a proud father to his two children, Janelle and John, and a beloved grandfather, uncle, great uncle, friend and colleague to many.
Gagnon held steadfast to his faith, including throughout his short illness. He was an avid member of a Bible study group and an active worshipper at Grace Capital Church.
His cousin Les Gagne said at the service that Gagnon relished diving into different Bible passages: “He loved the word of God, and he just devoured it, and my heart is linked to that, and always has been.”
Witnessing his cousin’s faith, especially in their shared Bible study, inspired Gagne.
“I believe the life of service and love that Paul had and lived speaks to us even now,” he said.
As a first responder, Gagnon did everything he could for others.
“He found trouble, so to speak, which is good for police officers. He had an ability to be at the right place at the right time to help people and catch the bad guys,” said retired Concord Police Chief Bob Barry, who also recalled how Gagnon took younger officers, including Barry himself, under his wing.
Gagnon was greatly involved with Concord’s Drug Abuse Resistance Education program and enjoyed interacting with young people whenever he could. After retiring as a sergeant from the police force in 2001, he became the technology coordinator for Epsom Central School.
He held a deep commitment to his work as a first responder. So deep, in fact, that he’d respond to calls at 4 a.m. if someone needed him, said firefighter Rick Bilodeau.
“Just an amazing man, friend and leader — he was always there for anybody and everybody. Didn’t matter the time of day. He’d always answer the phone,” said Bilodeau.
For current Pembroke Fire Chief Erik Paulsen, Gagnon played a crucial role in “setting the department up for success.” Another former colleague, Assistant Fire Chief Robert Farley, said that Gagnon helped strengthen the relationship between the town’s police force and its fire department.
“His leadership style just was one that you wanted to be part of the team,” said Farley.
Josh Ginn joined the Pembroke Fire Department at age 14 thanks to his uncle’s inspiration. Serving alongside Gagnon for 23 years was “amazing.” His uncle was “anything you could ever ask for,” he said.
With his illness and death, people have been coming to his family with stories of how he impacted their lives, his daughter said. She recalled one woman who told her Gagnon had responded to the scene of her car accident while she was distraught and in shock. He said to her, “But look, the car did what it was supposed to do because you’re standing here talking to me.”
Lavin said the woman recounted how that moment changed her whole perspective going forward. Hearing stories such as these has brought her family comfort, she said.
“That’s been something that gives us hope and kind of a peace and happiness, even though it’s been a really, really hard time,” said Lavin.
Even with his many busy roles, Gagnon always found time for those he loved. Alongside his wife, he enjoyed frequenting coffee shops, road-tripping, visiting botanical and sculpture gardens, staying at B&Bs, trying new restaurants and being with friends.
He and Pam took great joy in spending time together and with their family. Their niece described their marriage as “a loving symbol” for all of their relatives.
“The effort of his love for her and her appreciation for that was never lost, and the entire family knew that, and we supported that, and we cherished it,” said Jones.
Before the conclusion of the ceremony celebrating Gagnon’s life on Friday, three sets of five bells rang out in his honor, reverberating from the tall ceilings of Grace Capital Church.
Then, over the speaker, the fire department issued a final roll call: “Concord fire alarm Capital Area calling Chief Gagnon.”
Silence hovered in the room, punctuated by the soft sobs of the many people in attendance.
A series of tones played. Then more silence before one final message came over the sound system.
“Chief Gagnon has served the citizens of Pembroke in the Pembroke Fire Department for 50 years and will be deeply missed.”
