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Capitol Glass: A Veteran-Owned Business with Decades of Service to the Community and Country

By Irene O’Connor, Linked Media

For 56 years, Capitol Glass has helped change the way buildings look in Connecticut, from storefronts and schools to residential homes and landmark buildings throughout Hartford County.

Today, the company on Grassmere Avenue in the Design District is led by second-generation owner Greg Gagnon, whose life has been defined by two parallel commitments: military service and the family glass business founded by his father more than five decades ago.

Founded in 1970 by his father Claude Gagnon, Capitol Glass has remained rooted in West Hartford since day one. Claude, a Navy veteran and former West Hartford Fire Department firefighter, launched the company after working for State Glass in Hartford. When that company shut down, Claude decided to build something of his own.

One of Capitol Glass’ projects was the West Hartford Public Library. Courtesy photo

Over the decades, Capitol Glass became known for commercial storefront installations in West Hartford Center, residential glass repair, custom shower enclosures, tabletops, shelving, and window restoration work throughout Connecticut. The company has worked on schools, municipal buildings, and commercial properties, including projects for the American School for the Deaf, and Macy’s locations across the state. They also do emergency service repairs.

“Many buildings need to become more energy efficient,” Gagnon said. “A lot of people think they need to replace the entire window, but many times you can replace just the multi-pane glass without disturbing the trim or siding.”

Greg Gagnon’s connection to the company began long before he officially joined the business. He was raised in Windsor and went to Northwest Catholic High School. He spent summers and school vacations working alongside his father before studying business at Roger Williams University. After college, Gagnon briefly worked for a glass company in North Carolina before pursuing another lifelong calling: military service.

He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1995, serving four years on active duty before returning to Capitol Glass in late 1999. Starting as a shop worker, he gradually worked his way up through estimating and management roles before eventually becoming vice president.

But his military career was far from over.

In 2008, Gagnon returned to the Navy Reserve as a Commissioned Officer during the Afghanistan War. His service eventually included a deployment to Afghanistan from 2013 through 2014, followed years later by another call to active service during the COVID-19 pandemic, serving in Africa from 2020 through 2021.

Throughout it all, he balanced military responsibilities with the demands of a growing small business.

“I learned many great lessons,” Gagnon says of his military career. “Throughout my military service, I learned the importance of teamwork and integrity.” He says “you need to be a team player to be successful in the military, sports, business, and life. You cannot always put yourself first, often, you must put others before yourself.” Gagnon says he learned that “everything can’t be solved my way, our way, or worst of all, the way it has always been done, keep your options open and be open other ideas.”

Gagnon officially retired from the Navy in October 2025 after decades of service. His military legacy runs deep within the family. His father served during the Vietnam era, and his grandfather was a D-Day veteran during World War II.  Gagnon says he honors his father and grandfather and that’s why he enlisted in the military.

Greg Gagnon (right) with his father, Claude. Courtesy photo

Following the passing of his father in July 2021, Gagnon assumed ownership of Capitol Glass in January 2024. Today, he leads the company with the same hands-on approach his father established decades ago.

Capitol Glass continues to provide both commercial and residential services across Hartford County and central Connecticut. Gagnon says the business serves roughly 1,000 clients annually and often juggles multiple customers service calls in a single day.

Gagnon says running a small business requires far more than most people realize. “It’s a lot of hours, often more than 60 hours a week,” he said. “We work very hard to make it right and make people happy.”

Now under second-generation leadership, Capitol Glass remains both a family business and a veteran-owned business, continuing a legacy built on craftsmanship, service, and commitment to the community.

Courtesy image

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