Elliott Gagnon

Feb 22, 1973 -

Oct 14, 2021

Dr. Elliott Bruce Gagnon, 48, passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 14, 2021, at his home in Palmer, Alaska.

Elliott was born on Feb. 22, 1973, in Anchorage to Bruce and Sharon Gagnon. He spent his childhood in Alaska and graduated from Service High School in 1991. Elliott subsequently graduated with honors from Harvard College in 1995, and also with honors from OHSU Medical School in 2001. While at OHSU, Elliott met Janel Watson, and they married in 2001 in Portland, Ore. They moved to Richmond, Va., where Elliott began his residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery and received the VCU S. Dawson Theogaraj scholarship for scoring the highest on the 2006 Plastic Surgery In-Service Exam. During Elliott and Janel's time in Richmond, their daughter, Annika and son, Finn were born. In 2007, Elliott became a board certified plastic surgeon, and the Gagnon family moved to Ashland, Ore., and then to Eureka, Calif., where Elliott served Jackson and Humboldt counties, respectively.

In January 2016, Elliott and his family moved to Palmer, where Elliott opened Gagnon Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery with the support of his wife in the neighboring town Wasilla. Returning to Alaska was a "dream come true" for Elliott. He loved being back full-time in the breath-taking land of his youth, enjoying fishing, skiing and hunting with his family and lifelong friends. Elliott was deeply committed to others. Through his work as a surgeon, he repaired or saved countless tissues, appendages and lives. His kind manner put so many at ease during stressful medical crises. His medical colleagues found him to be both a highly competent surgeon and a willing and able mentor to those who needed it. He was easy going, quick with a joke and was often heard whistling before being seen turning the corner in the hospital hallway. The well-being of his family, friends and patients was at the core of all he pursued and accomplished. A true caregiver, Elliott was an unfailing source of love.

Elliott delighted in comedy and loved to laugh, honing his own craft while at Harvard College writing for The Lampoon. He was a masterful and avid fly-fisherman. He found great contentment and joy on streams and rivers where he practiced the sport of angling, which he first learned with his father, Bruce. His mother, Sharon, instilled in him a love of travel and interest in other cultures. Some of the best memories he had growing up in Alaska involved Mighty Mites and ski racing with his sister, Anne, in Alyeska nearly every weekend of the season as they grew up. While his time with us was too short, he lives on in our hearts in profound and limitless ways. In the face of inconsolable loss, Elliott and our memories of him will be with us forever.

Elliott is survived by his beloved wife, Janel; daughter, Annika; and son, Finn. In addition, Elliott is survived by his mother, Sharon Gagnon; sister, Anne Gagnon Millington; brother-in-law, Peter Millington; and nephews, James and Andrew Millington. Elliott is predeceased in death by his father, Bruce Gagnon.

A celebration of life gathering will be held for Elliott on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021, from 2-5 p.m., at the Hotel Captain Cook, Quarter Deck Room in Anchorage, Alaska. Donations can be made in Elliott's name to the charity of one's choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to Legacy Funeral Home.