Saturday, September 14, 2013 5:57 am

ROCHESTER - Conrad Patrick "Zeff" Gagnon, 86, of 21 Wellsweep Circle, died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2013, at his home after a brief illness.

He was born Feb. 10, 1927, in Gonic, the son of the late Joseph and Fortunate (Boucher) Gagnon. He was a lifelong resident of Gonic and Rochester. He served in the Navy during World War II on board the USS Tuscaloosa in the Battle of Normandy, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa.

Conrad was a communicant of St. Leo's Church in Gonic. He worked for many years for the City of Rochester as a tax collector until his retirement in 1989. 

Zeff was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who was an avid woodworker, fisherman, and most of all, gardener. He took great pride in his gardens at 93 Main St. It was not unusual to take his family on a road trip anytime to anywhere. He just loved to drive.

Members of his family include his wife of 63 years, Cecile (Huppe) Gagnon; daughter Patricia Gagnon Ray and her husband Kevin Ray of Newfields; son Andre Gagnon of Portsmouth; four grandchildren, Hunter Gagnon, Justin Ray, Lyndsey Ray, and Samuel Gagnon Pike. 

He was predeceased by his sisters, Diane Brunelle and Muriel Gagnon.