Bill Hagan 1947-2025
POLAND — William “Bill” Hagan, teacher, union leader, political activist, caring uncle, cheerful and generous host, sharp dresser, great dancer, gentle man and a very funny guy, passed away Monday, Jan. 13, 2025, at his home.
Bill was born in 1947 in Youngstown, to Robert E. and Ada DiLoreto Hagan, into a family that would eventually total 14 children. He graduated from Ursuline High School in 1965, and in 1966, was drafted into the Army. Following his service, he attended Youngstown State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education and became active in the anti-Vietnam War movement.
He moved to Hartford, Connecticut, in 1978, to join his wife, Mary McAtee, also from Youngstown, and taught for nearly 30 years in Hartford public schools. In later years he was elected vice president of the Hartford Federation of Teachers.
He ran for city council as a member of People for Change, a progressive third party, and eventually served as party chair. In his retirement, he volunteered with Friends of Goodwin Park.
He is survived by his wife, Mary McAtee; his siblings, Katie (Jimmy Armaline), Jim (Fiona Young), Tim (Marna Negrelli-Hagan), Bob (Michele Lepore-Hagan), Jack (Noreen O’Malley), Chris (Chris Girton), Anne Hagan-Carney (TJ Carney), Elaine, Monica, Sue (Kim Korver), Mary (Denise Reynolds) and Jeff (Marcia Egbert); plus many nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, and sister, Maggie, and like them, he donated his body to the Northeast Ohio Medical University in Rootstown.
Those wishing to remember Bill can donate to Friends of Goodwin Park, c/o Dianne Ney, 164 Victoria Road, Hartford, CT 06114.
Celebrations of the life of Bill Hagan will take place later in the spring in Hartford, Connecticut, and Madison, Ohio.
(special notice)