Ovila J. Gagne

Ovila J. Gagne, 90, of Manchester, died December 24, 2003, at the Elliot Hospital, after a period of declining health.

Born in Manchester, August 16, 1913, he was the son of Francois X. and Marie (Cote) Gagne. A lifelong resident of this city he was educated in local schools, and was a graduate of St. Joseph High School.

Mr. Gagne retired in 1973 as a District Chief for the Manchester Fire Department where he worked for 32 years.

He invented the Hydra Clamp, a piece of firefighting equipment of which he received a US patent for. He manufactured and marketed the device for many years.

He was a member of the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs and the Manchester Retired Fire Fighters Association.

Mr. Gagne was an avid stamp collector.

He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather who gave much of his life to his family.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 61 years, Martha L. (St. Denis) Gagne, who died in August, 1999, and a grandson, Peter B. Vincent, who also died in July, 1980.

Family members include a daughter, Paulette F. Vincent of Hooksett; two grandchildren, Master Chief Marc A. Vincent and his wife Sallie, of Hollywood, Md., and Amy P. Boilard and her husband, Leonard, of Hooksett; eight great grandchildren.

There are no calling hours.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at a later date. Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the VNA Hospice, 1850 Elm St., Manchester, 03104 or the Manchester Fire Department Memorial Fund, 100 Merrimack St., Manchester, 03101