March 6, 2024
He is survived by his loving wife, Janet; children, Sheila (Owen Byrne) Hagerty of Lethbridge, Maureen (Herb) Groenenboom of Lethbridge, and Tony (Tatiana) Hagerty of Edmonton; grandchildren: Kelsey (Zak), Jamie, Victoria and Seraphina, as well as beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Bob was predeceased by his parents, Micheal and Florence Hagerty, brothers Jack, Tom, Kenny and Daniel.
Bob was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, on June 23, 1934. He grew up near Denholm, SK with his two older brothers, working on the family farm. His love of farming and the life that goes with it would serve him and his family well in subsequent years.
Bob attended East Hill Rural School until the family needed him to run the family farm. Growing up, he enjoyed outdoor sports, fishing, fastball, curling and hockey. He even managed to play a ballgame or two against the great Gordie Howe in his younger years.
Bob met Janet Murphy, the love of his life and they were married October 31, 1964. Working various winter construction jobs, improving the farm with the addition of sheep and cattle, and raising three children made for a full and busy life. He was active in the community as a leader for the Mount Hope 4H Club, member of the Denholm recreation club and volunteer firefighter.
Bob later worked as a caretaker at Battleford Central School, where he was well loved by staff and students alike and set the gold standard for caretakers. In his free time, Bob loved spending time with family and friends, camping, fishing and playing cards.
After moving to Lethbridge, Bob and Janet developed a whole new social circle through St. Martha’s Parish. Bob rarely missed church or Tim Horton’s coffee afterwards and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus.
Bob will be remembered by all as a sweet, kind and gentle person. He handled the diagnosis of Parkinson’s, melanoma and dementia with grace and dignity. He never lost his ability to smile or to count a crib hand faster than anyone.
A Prayer Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 – 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Bruce Barnett officiating.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Friday, March 22, 2024 at 11:00 A.M. with Father William Monis celebrating. The Funeral Mass will be live-streamed and may be viewed through Bob’s obituary on the Cornerstone website.
It is the family’s request that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of Alberta (parkinsonsassociation.ca) or Development and Peace Canada (devp.org).
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