Joe Gagnon dies. He was 84.

[DJDJDJDJ]

https://www.wjr.com/2026/08/13/joe-gagn ... ies-at-84/

Joe Gannon passed on Thursday, August 13, 2026 at Age 84.

Joe Gagnon, known to generations of listeners as “The Appliance Doctor,” built a distinctive broadcasting career around consumer advocacy, home-appliance expertise and his ability to make practical advice entertaining. His radio program was on the air for more than 25 years and was heard beyond Detroit on stations around the country. By 1995, Gagnon was broadcasting his appliance program on 760 WJR, where he became a familiar weekend voice to listeners throughout Michigan and the station's far-reaching nighttime coverage area.

Gagnon's broadcasting grew naturally from an extensive background in the appliance industry and consumer affairs. His radio work focused not simply on repairing refrigerators, washers and other household equipment, but on helping consumers make informed purchases, avoid unnecessary repairs and recognize questionable business practices. His consumer advocacy also reached beyond broadcasting: he worked as a fraud investigator for Detroit Consumer Affairs and the Michigan Attorney General's Office, wrote newspaper columns, authored two books, and helped bring attention to consumer issues that received national television coverage. In 2002, Michigan enacted the Joe Gagnon Appliance Repair Act, named in recognition of his consumer-protection efforts.

In his later years, Gagnon remained part of the WJR lineup as host of The Home & Appliance Show, taking listeners' calls and dispensing the practical, sometimes humorous advice that had become his trademark. He was joined on the program by his longtime producer and second microphone, Donald “The Hammer” Schuster. The program continued a broadcasting relationship with WJR that stretched back roughly three decades and made Joe Gagnon one of the station's enduring specialty-program personalities and a uniquely recognizable voice in Detroit radio.

Arrangements:
Elton Black Funeral Home, 3295 Highland Rd, Highland, MI 48356
Visitation: Tuesday August 18 1:30-4pm, Funeral Tuesday August 18 4pm

[edj]

I called Joe once when he was on one of the Ann Arbor stations (I think WTKA) about my refrigerator. While the problem ended up not worth fixing, he was very knowledgeable.

[MYRIAD]

I worked with Joe at WCAR in the 1980's So sorry to hear of his passing. I am proud to say I was Joe's first producer/engineer ! A great guy to work with, and a talented communicator.

[billmich88888]

Kudos on a life well lived. I am surprised he made it this long, circa 2003 I met him and you should smell the cigarettes from 100 yards away and see the chain smoking.......

[uncleb67]

Kudos on a life well lived. I am surprised he made it this long, circa 2003 I met him and you should smell the cigarettes from 100 yards away and see the chain smoking.......

I always enjoyed listening to Joe’s show, though in the later years, he became a little harder to find, as he switched (or got moved) from stations and/or time slots. It always was a bit of radio “comfort food”. I remember working at a restaurant in Northville, where Joe resided during that era. I do remember he liked the smokes, to the consternation if his wife, who he always referred to as “the lovely Valerie”!

[Bobbertt]

I worked with Joe at WCAR in the 1980's So sorry to hear of his passing. I am proud to say I was Joe's first producer/engineer ! A great guy to work with, and a talented communicator.

A few years ago, Joe gave credit to Ron Cameron for helping him get started in the radio business at WCAR. Usually, it was Ron giving himself credit for helping someone.

https://www.hometownlife.com/story/life ... /83919468/

[MWmetalhead]

Judging only as a listener, Mr. Gagnon seemed like a very good guy. He was a straight shooter and a consumer advocate. May he R.I.P.

[mmb5]

I shall clean my dishwasher with Tang in his honor.