PORTLAND — Rudolph J. “Rudy” Gagnon, 86, of Portland, died peacefully Saturday, surrounded by family at Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough.

Gagnon was born Nov. 14, 1926, to William L. and Imelda Gagnon, and raised in Portland. He graduated from Deering High School, where he played football.

After high school, he joined the Navy, serving as a radioman in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters during World War II. He attended Portland Junior College and the University of Maine. He opened The Corner Store and later built a shopping center at Nason’s Corner in Portland. He was also “Rudy” of Rudy’s of the Cape in Cape Elizabeth and owned many apartment buildings, including the Linden on Cumberland Avenue, in Portland

Gagnon was a past member of the Portland Country Club, Portland Kiwanis Club, Maine State Senior Golf Association, Maine Realtors Association, Maine State Grocers Association and Bartley Gardens Club. He was also a 70-year member of the Boys & Girls Club of America, a member of the Portland Elks and Eagles and the Knights of Columbus.

Fond family memories include Gagnon designing and building his home of 57 years, a 40th anniversary trip along the Pacific Coast, and dancing the night away at his granddaughter’s wedding.

Gagnon is predeceased by his parents, and his wife of 57 years, Jeannette. He is survived by his daughter, Colette Gagnon, of Gorham; a son, James Gagnon, and his wife, Kathleen, of Chester Springs, Pa.; grandchildren Gregory Gagnon and Kacie Heathcote and her husband, Stephen, all of Pennsylvania; his sister, Margaret Haley, of Portland; his brother, William Gagnon and his wife, Barbara, of Naples, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, Saint Joseph’s Rehabilitation and Residency and Hospice of Southern Maine for all their support and help.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday at Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, Brown St., in Westbrook, with Reggie Brissette as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Hyacinth’s cemetery in Westbrook.

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