Biddeford had a long, proud history as a speed skating mecca and Dan is one of its legends. He has won countless awards, even competing nationally as part of the Air Force Skating Team and was on the Olympic Training Team.  He also nurtured the talents of many Biddeford youths through a skating club that he started.  A lifelong resident of Biddeford with a passion for competitive sports, he’s competed in football, pool, running, bicycle racing, snowmobile racing and racquetball.  

Dan has 3 daughters and a son. He lives in Biddeford with his wife, Kathy.

People ask Dan, “How do you do what you do at your age?” His response is, “Stay active, stay involved in your community and have a lot of friends.”

 

DAN GAGNE

INTERVIEW DETAILS

Date of Interview: March 20, 2020

Location:  Gagne residence, Biddeford Maine

Interviewer:  Nicole Morin-Scribner

Transcriber:  Nicole Morin-Scribner

SELECTED INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

·       Growing up in a  French Canadian/Irish family

·       Biddeford skating  rinks, local speed skating stars, barrel jumping and the Maine Bladesmen Skating Club.

·       “When we first started, we didn’t have any uniforms. We took long underwear and dyed it.”

·       Competing at Boston Garden’s Silver Skates Derby. A highlight was his amazing come from behind win after falling twice.

·       The challenges of finding places to practice as well as traveling to Massachusetts for meets.

·       “Many times, I would go to a meet and couldn’t afford to stay in a hotel, so I slept in my car. By the time you got to the race, you were cold.”

·       Experience in the military and competing for the Air Force Skating Team

·       We had a skating club with over 100 kids. I taught them how to skate and brought them to different meets.”

·       How a skating connection led to him eventually owning Gagne Plumbing and Heating.

·       Reflections on how Biddeford has changed

·       Adjusting to life during the coronavirus pandemic

DEMOGRAPHICS

Birthplace: Biddeford Maine
Education:  St. Mary’s & Biddeford public school     
Biddeford High School
Ethnic Identification: Franco-American/Irish