Albert Adelard Gagnon - Revision history

Louise: /* You're in the Army Now - World War II */

2015-04-01T18:54:09Z

‎You're in the Army Now - World War II

Louise at 16:44, 30 March 2015

2015-03-30T16:44:26Z

Louise: /* An Opportunity to Go Into Business With His Brother Bill */

2015-03-29T13:19:47Z

‎An Opportunity to Go Into Business With His Brother Bill

Louise at 00:31, 29 March 2015

2015-03-29T00:31:19Z

Louise: /* An Opportunity to Go Into Business With His Brother Bill */

2015-03-29T00:19:40Z

‎An Opportunity to Go Into Business With His Brother Bill

Louise at 00:17, 29 March 2015

2015-03-29T00:17:55Z

Louise: /* Albert and Irene */

2015-03-25T02:12:18Z

‎Albert and Irene

Louise: /* Albert's Childhood */

2015-03-22T23:49:56Z

‎Albert's Childhood

Louise: /* Albert's Childhood */

2015-03-22T23:48:46Z

‎Albert's Childhood

Louise: /* Albert and Irene */

2015-03-21T04:15:06Z

‎Albert and Irene

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 ==You're in the Army Now - World War II==
-[[File:albert-enlist.jpg|left|thumb|100px|Albert's enlistment record, showing at 19 he was 5'9" and 173 lbs]] [[File:Albert-CampLeeVA-1942.jpg|right|thumb|130px|Al after basic training at Camp Lee, VA before shipping out to the South Pacific theater]] Albert successfully enlisted in the army on September 19, 1942, as Serial# 11097328.  We still have his dog tags, which list him as Joseph A A Gagnon.  In addition to serial number, dog tags also listed the father’s name and address. This was presumably to know where to send the body, in case of death or serious injury.  In the war, he was posted to 3747th QM Truck Company, Base A, APO 928, in the South Pacific as a member of the truck company.
+[[File:albert-enlist.jpg|left|thumb|100px|Albert's enlistment record, showing at 19 he was 5'9" and 173 lbs]] [[File:Albert-CampLeeVA-1942.jpg|right|thumb|130px|Al after basic training at Camp Lee, VA before shipping out to the South Pacific theater]] Albert sold his car and enlisted in the army on September 19, 1942, as Serial# 11097328.  We still have his dog tags, which list him as Joseph A A Gagnon.  In addition to serial number, dog tags also listed the father’s name and address. This was presumably to know where to send the body, in case of death or serious injury.  In the war, he was posted to 3747th QM Truck Company, Base A, APO 928, in the South Pacific as a member of the truck company.
 One time, during the war, Albert and another guy in his crew were sent to unload a truck off of an LST (vehicle carrier) during active enemy fire.  There were bullets flying past his head, in between he and his buddy while they were moving this truck for use.  Albert was so nervous that he grabbed the other guy’s leg with such a strong grip that he left fingerprints and bruises on the guy’s leg that lasted for weeks.

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 ==An Opportunity to Go Into Business With His Brother Bill==
-[[File:Image.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Bill and Al's Atlantic-Richfield Station.]]Around 1947, his brother Bill, who was living in Connecticut, contacted him about a business proposition. It seemed that Bill had found a gas station for sale in an excellent area on the Hartford and West Hartford town line that he wanted to purchase.  Since he needed a mechanic, and a partner he could trust, he asked Albert be a partner.  Albert, who was never fond of working in the mill, and was an adventurer at heart anyway, jumped at the chance.
+[[File:ARCO-c47.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Bill and Al's Atlantic-Richfield Station.]]Around 1947, his brother Bill, who was living in Connecticut, contacted him about a business proposition. It seemed that Bill had found a gas station for sale in an excellent area on the Hartford and West Hartford town line that he wanted to purchase.  Since he needed a mechanic, and a partner he could trust, he asked Albert be a partner.  Albert, who was never fond of working in the mill, and was an adventurer at heart anyway, jumped at the chance.
 Together, they purchased what was at the time an Atlantic-Richfield station ( now called ARCO), on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Farmington Ave.  At first, he moved in with Wilfred and Rena. Jeannie, who was Albert’s godchild, was just a baby.  Wilfred and Rena had a small house in Newington, and Albert rented a room from them in their unfinished, unheated attic.  Because of Uncle Jim, Albert did not own a car.  And since he and Bill worked different shifts, Albert took a bus to and from work.

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 ==An Opportunity to Go Into Business With His Brother Bill==
-Around 1947, his brother Bill, who was living in Connecticut, contacted him about a business proposition. It seemed that Bill had found a gas station for sale in an excellent area on the Hartford and West Hartford town line that he wanted to purchase.  Since he needed a mechanic, and a partner he could trust, he asked Albert be a partner.  Albert, who was never fond of working in the mill, and was an adventurer at heart anyway, jumped at the chance.
+[[File:Image.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Bill and Al's Atlantic-Richfield Station.]]Around 1947, his brother Bill, who was living in Connecticut, contacted him about a business proposition. It seemed that Bill had found a gas station for sale in an excellent area on the Hartford and West Hartford town line that he wanted to purchase.  Since he needed a mechanic, and a partner he could trust, he asked Albert be a partner.  Albert, who was never fond of working in the mill, and was an adventurer at heart anyway, jumped at the chance.
-Together, they purchased what was at the time an Atlantic-Richfield station ( now called ARCO), on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Farmington Ave.  [[File:Image.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Bill and Al's Atlantic Richfield Station.]] At first, he moved in with Wilfred and Rena. Jeannie, who was Albert’s godchild, was just a baby.  Wilfred and Rena had a small house in Newington, and Albert rented a room from them in their unfinished, unheated attic.  Because of Uncle Jim, Albert did not own a car.  And since he and Bill worked different shifts, Albert took a bus to and from work.
+Together, they purchased what was at the time an Atlantic-Richfield station ( now called ARCO), on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Farmington Ave.  At first, he moved in with Wilfred and Rena. Jeannie, who was Albert’s godchild, was just a baby.  Wilfred and Rena had a small house in Newington, and Albert rented a room from them in their unfinished, unheated attic.  Because of Uncle Jim, Albert did not own a car.  And since he and Bill worked different shifts, Albert took a bus to and from work.
 ==Some Call it Charm, Some Call it BullShit==

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 Around 1947, his brother Bill, who was living in Connecticut, contacted him about a business proposition. It seemed that Bill had found a gas station for sale in an excellent area on the Hartford and West Hartford town line that he wanted to purchase.  Since he needed a mechanic, and a partner he could trust, he asked Albert be a partner.  Albert, who was never fond of working in the mill, and was an adventurer at heart anyway, jumped at the chance.
-Together, they purchased what was at the time an Atlantic-Richfield station ( now called ARCO), on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Farmington Ave.  [[File:Image.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Bill and Al's Atlantic Richfield Station.]] At first, he moved in with Wilfred and Rena. Jeannie, who was Albert’s godchild, was just a baby.  Wilfred and Rena had a small house in Newington, and Albert rented a room from them in their unfinished, unheated attic.  Because of Uncle Jim, Albert did not own a car.  And since he and Bill worked different shifts, Albert took a bus to and from work.
+Together, they purchased what was at the time an Atlantic-Richfield station ( now called ARCO), on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Farmington Ave.  [[File:Image.jpg|left|thumb|300px|Bill and Al's Atlantic Richfield Station.]] At first, he moved in with Wilfred and Rena. Jeannie, who was Albert’s godchild, was just a baby.  Wilfred and Rena had a small house in Newington, and Albert rented a room from them in their unfinished, unheated attic.  Because of Uncle Jim, Albert did not own a car.  And since he and Bill worked different shifts, Albert took a bus to and from work.
 ==Some Call it Charm, Some Call it BullShit==

@@ Line 83: / Line 83: @@
 Around 1947, his brother Bill, who was living in Connecticut, contacted him about a business proposition. It seemed that Bill had found a gas station for sale in an excellent area on the Hartford and West Hartford town line that he wanted to purchase.  Since he needed a mechanic, and a partner he could trust, he asked Albert be a partner.  Albert, who was never fond of working in the mill, and was an adventurer at heart anyway, jumped at the chance.
-Together, they purchased what was at the time an Atlantic-Richfield station ( now called ARCO), on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Farmington Ave.  [[File:Image.jpg|left|thumb|200px|bill and Al's Atlantic Richfield Station.]] At first, he moved in with Wilfred and Rena. Jeannie, who was Albert’s godchild, was just a baby.  Wilfred and Rena had a small house in Newington, and Albert rented a room from them in their unfinished, unheated attic.  Because of Uncle Jim, Albert did not own a car.  And since he and Bill worked different shifts, Albert took a bus to and from work.
+Together, they purchased what was at the time an Atlantic-Richfield station ( now called ARCO), on the corner of Prospect Ave. and Farmington Ave.  [[File:Image.jpg|left|thumb|200px|Bill and Al's Atlantic Richfield Station.]] At first, he moved in with Wilfred and Rena. Jeannie, who was Albert’s godchild, was just a baby.  Wilfred and Rena had a small house in Newington, and Albert rented a room from them in their unfinished, unheated attic.  Because of Uncle Jim, Albert did not own a car.  And since he and Bill worked different shifts, Albert took a bus to and from work.
 ==Some Call it Charm, Some Call it BullShit==

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 ==Albert and Irene==
-This was a whirlwind courtship.  They met in the Fall of 1949.  He would show up under her window at work on a borrowed motorcycle, with his guitar and serenade her.  They would go on picnics to their favorite place on the grounds of the reservoir in West Hartford, or Elizabeth Park.  He found out she couldn't cook, and he didn't care.
+This was a whirlwind courtship.  They met in the Fall of 1949.  He would show up under her window at work on a borrowed motorcycle, with his guitar and serenade her.  Her friends would say. "Your boyfriend's here!", but with the noise from the revving engine, she already knew.  She feigned embarrassment, but she was secretly pleased.
-[[File:AlbertIrenedatingc49.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Snapshots from their whirlwind courtship.]]
-Although they were from similar backgrounds (French Canadian-speaking families, each having several brothers and sisters, parents having experienced hardships and the loss of at least one infant), Albert and Irene couldn't have been more opposite.  He was large, muscular, adventurous, not well educated, raised on a farm, been through a war, seen a lot of the world, friendly and gregarious, and a bit of a ladies' man.  She was educated and well-read, quiet and shy, careful and risk-averse, had dated some, but not much.  None of that mattered - Albert was smitten, and Irene had found her knight in shining armor, someone handsome, romantic, very protective and exciting.
+They would go on picnics to their favorite place on the grounds of the reservoir in West Hartford, or Elizabeth Park.  He found out she couldn't cook, and he didn't care.  [[File:AlbertIrenedatingc49.jpg|left|thumb|350px|Snapshots from their whirlwind courtship.]]  Although they were from similar backgrounds (French Canadian-speaking families, each having several brothers and sisters, parents having experienced hardships and the loss of at least one infant), Albert and Irene couldn't have been more opposite.  He was large, muscular, adventurous, not well educated, raised on a farm, been through a war, seen a lot of the world, friendly and gregarious, and a bit of a ladies' man.  She was educated and well-read, quiet and shy, careful and risk-averse, had dated some, but not much.  None of that mattered - Albert was smitten, and Irene had found her knight in shining armor, someone handsome, romantic, very protective and exciting.
-Albert brought her home to Maine to meet his parents, and show her where he grew up.  He enjoyed sharing many of the stories of his childhood, his friends, and his adventures on Moose Hill.  Irene was very nervous and intimidated meeting Al's family, and she made a mixed impression.  On the plus side, they thought she was pretty, and she scored points because she spoke fluent French.  On the negative side (especially in Rosa's mind), was the fact that Irene could not cook, a fact which Rosa found incomprehensible and scandalous for a housewife.  Irene, who was shy and not aggrest sive in the least, was very grateful to return to Connecticut at the end of that weekend.  She was intimidated by this loud, competitive group of people.
+Albert brought her home to Maine to meet his parents, and show her where he grew up.  He enjoyed sharing many of the stories of his childhood, his friends, and his adventures on Moose Hill.  It was such an exciting life in comparison to her own quiet, serious life, that she was fascinated.  Irene was very nervous and intimidated meeting Al's family, and much to her chagrin, she made a mixed impression.  On the plus side, they thought she was pretty, and she scored points because she spoke fluent French.  On the negative side (especially in Rosa's mind), was the fact that Irene could not cook, a fact which Rosa found incomprehensible and scandalous for a housewife.  Irene, who was shy and not aggrest sive in the least, was very grateful to return to Connecticut at the end of that weekend.  She was intimidated by this loud, competitive group of people.
 It was also around this time that he and Bill decided to sell the business.  The gas station was well-run and lucrative, but his relationship with Irene now meant that he was not so flexible about all those extra shifts.  Also, Rena had really reached the end of her tolerance for the dirty, smelly laundry impact. They sold the business at a profit, and Bill entered the job market with his tool and die maker skills that he'd acquired years before in Maine. It was this education he used as a foundation upon which he would now build a successful career.

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 [[File:Albertc23-2-cropped.jpg|left|thumb|200px]]
-Albert was born weighing over 12 pounds.  We have no idea if this was the largest baby Rosa delivered, but we hope so, for her sake.  He grew to be
+Albert was born weighing over 12 pounds.  We have no idea if this was the largest baby Rosa delivered, but we hope so, for her sake.  He grew to be a happy go lucky child, impish, charming and very precocious. He also loved music.  When they lived on the first farm on Moose Hill, there was a pretty Baptist church down the road nearby. On Sunday mornings you could clearly hear the bells pealing the beginning of services, and the whole Moose Hill valley would resound with the enthusiastic singing of the Protestant hymns. Albert remembered sneaking under the windows to listen to “Onward Christian Soldiers” or his favorite hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross”. The minister discovered him there one day, singing along while the choir practiced, and invited him to participate with his beautiful soprano voice. Of course, being Catholic, his family would not allow it.[[File:Albert-1930.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Albert's school picture, 7 years old.]]
 a happy go lucky child, impish, charming and very precocious. He also loved music.  When they lived on the first farm on Moose Hill, there was a pretty Baptist church down the road nearby. On Sunday mornings you could clearly hear the bells pealing the beginning of services, and the whole Moose Hill valley would resound with the enthusiastic singing of the Protestant hymns. Albert remembered sneaking under the windows to listen to “Onward Christian Soldiers” or his favorite hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross”. The minister discovered him there one day, singing along while the choir practiced, and invited him to participate with his beautiful soprano voice. Of course, being Catholic, his family would not allow it.[[File:Albert-1930.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Albert's school picture, 7 years old.]]
 During the time when the family lived in town, Albert had many friends.  He especially liked the Tagliante family, who spoke Italian at home, much like his family spoke French at home.  While Albert was not much of a reader or scholar in school, he did have an ear for languages and accents.  He picked up quite a bit of Italian when he was invited to have dinner at their house, and he loved their loud, happy communication.