Wrestler and manager Jean Gagne (Frenchy Martin) passes away at 69
Jean Gagne, best known as Frenchy Martin amid a number of other wrestling names, passed away Friday morning at the age of 69.
He had been battling bladder cancer for more than a year, and was moved to hospice care in early September.
Martin’s greatest success came as a major star in Puerto Rico where he wrested as Pierre Martel, teaming with Michel Martel as The Mercenaries to win the WWC North American tag team titles — one of four times Martin held that gold (Rick Martel twice, Mr. Fuji).
Before the creation of the Universal title when the WWC North American title was the main belt and the promotion was doing huge business, Martin (as Martel) was a three-time North American champion and had many major matches with Carlos Colon.
He also held the North American title twice for Stampede Wrestling, using the ring name Don Gagne with his main rival being Leo Burke.
Later, he worked for the WWF as the manager of Dino Bravo until Jimmy Hart replaced him in the spring of 1989.
Dave Meltzer is the founder and lead writer on the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the weekly constant when it comes to news and reviews in pro wrestling and mixed martial arts for more than 40 years. Dave also co-hosts Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and had had bylines for The National, Yahoo Sports, MMA Fighting and others.