DOVER — Roland Gagnon, 80, passed away peacefully, June 3, 2011, at the Hyder Family Hospice House in Dover, after a period of failing health, surrounded by his family.He was born Aug. 18, 1930, in Dover, the son of Wilfrid and Alice (Blanchette) Gagnon, and graduated from Dover High School, class of 1949. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during the Korean War on the USS Salerno Bay and was honorably discharged.He worked at the Davidson Rubber Company for 38 years, and as an inventor in residence, he was a co-owner of a U.S. and Canadian patent in manufacturing. He also pursued his education and received a bachelor's degree in General Studies at the University of New Hampshire School for Lifelong Learning before retiring.He worked for the Dover School Department as a substitute teacher and the state of New Hampshire as a toll booth attendant at the Dover tolls until December of 2010.Roland was a member of the American Legion Post 47 in Rollinsford for 36 years and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 184 in Dover for 20 years. He and his wife, Helen, have been members of the Pease Greeters in Portsmouth for several years now. He was a long time member of St. Charles Church in Dover and then the Parish of the Assumption.He enjoyed traveling with his wife to Florida by RV for many winters and then later they began renting a Villa in Cape Canaveral, Fla. He also enjoyed golfing, dancing, going to dinner with friends and watching the Red Sox.He leaves his wife, Helen (French) Gagnon; son, Gary Gagnon of Swanzey; daughter, Cyndi Gagnon Budahn and her husband, Greg, of South Berwick, Maine; daughter, Patti Gagnon of Gonic; grandsons, Benjamin Gagnon and Daniel Gagnon and granddaughter, Kaeleigh Gagnon, all of Keene; his sister, Claudine Gagnon Wentworth of Somersworth; his brother, Victor Gagnon, of Rollinsford; as well as several nieces, nephews and cousins.He was predeceased by his siblings, Antoinette Gagnon Vermette, Fernand Gagnon, Blandine Gagnon, Andrea Gagnon LeHoullier, Aline Gagnon Gauvin and his twin brother, Laurent Gagnon. Visiting hours will be Monday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Tasker Funeral Home, 621 Central Ave., Dover. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at noon at the Parish of the Assumption, St. Mary Church (corner of Chestnut and Third sts.). Burial will be in New Hampshire State Veteran's Cemetery at a later date.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pease Greeters Funds, P.O. Box 22311, Portsmouth, NH 03802-2311. Please go to www.taskerfh.com to sign the online guest book.@Online guest book:Visit www.fosters.com/obits for an online guest book.