James J. Hagan Jr., 73, of The Villages, FL, passed away on Monday, February 19, 2018 at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, FL. James was born on January 30, 1945 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to James J. and Rose (nee Haney) Hagan.
He grew up in the Kensington neighborhood where he was known to family and friends as Earl, Jimmy, and Jim. He graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1962. Jim served our nation in the United States Air Force from 1962-1966. Following his military service, he went on to work for the Philadelphia Police Department from 1966 through 1995. After twenty-nine years of honorable service, Jim retired on March 17, 1995. He went on to work as an inspector for the State of Pennsylvania before his final retirement in 2001.
Following retirement, he and his wife moved to The Villages where they remained active in their community. They enjoyed living the golf cart life, swimming, golfing, good friends and visits from their kids and grand-kids. Jim taught many of the kids how to swim while enjoying the Village pools.
Throughout his life Jim enjoyed playing basketball, dancing (he even made it on American Band Stand), singing and listening to the oldies and watching western television shows and movies. He kept a sweet tooth for cookies, Tastycake pies, Reese’s cups, and Hershey bars. Jim was a proud member of the Philadelphia Emerald Society, Northeast Catholic High School Alumni Association, American Legion Post 347 in Lady Lake, and golfer with the Dinosaur Club.
Jim is survived by his loving wife Eleanor (nee Carr); his children Linda Sweeney (Patrick), Jim, Andrea, Sean (Lauren); grandchildren Jimmy, Gary (JoAnn), Marie (Shane), Ryan, and Thomas; and great-grandchildren Draven, Alexa, and Ava. Jim was a devoted husband, father, grand-pop, pop and friend.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, James J. and Rose (nee Haney) Hagan.
A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday, March 5th at 10:30 a.m. at St. Vincent De Paul Church in The Villages, with a brief visitation period prior to the mass in the church narthex. Interment will immediately follow the mass at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL with military honors.
A Celebration of Life will be hosted in Philadelphia, PA for family and friends at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the National ALS Association at alsa.org or Cornerstone Hospice, 601 Casa Bella, The Villages, FL 32162.
