Kenneth W. Hagerstrom

Kenneth W. Hagerstrom, age 83, surrounded by his family, peacefully passed away at his home in Venice, FL on February 15, 2018. Ken was born on July 14, 1934 in Worcester, MA to Evelyn Simmler Hagerstrom and Hugo Olof Hagerstrom. Ken is a terrific example of a life well lived. He was very proud of his family, his time in the Navy, his athletic career, the time he spent working in education and business and his commitment to community service. Ken’s accomplishments were great and his humility was even greater. Ken made great choices in his marriage partners. He was married to his college sweetheart Maureen Roddy from 1957 until her untimely death in 1995. Together they raised three sons, Kenneth of Dallas, TX, Thomas of Madison, NJ and Steven of Bridgewater, MA. Ken thoroughly enjoyed his time with Maureen and raising their children together. After Maureen’s death, Ken married Marilyn Brox Stevenson in 1996. Ken welcomed his new stepchildren Amy L Stevenson of Portland ME and Sarasota FL and Bob Stevenson of Amherst NH to his family. His marriage to Marilyn expanded his interests and kept him young. They spent wonderful years in retirement, playing golf, traveling the world, and especially being present in the lives of his grandchildren. Marilyn helped make Ken’s life complete. While his family was always most important to Ken, his dedication to and impact on his life experiences were immeasurable. Ken served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for more than 3 years. He was a 12-time letter winner in high school and was inducted into the Auburn High School Hall of Fame in 1979. Later at Boston University he was an Academic All American and Captain of the 1955 Football team and centerfielder for the baseball team. Ken’s professional career began in education as a teacher and coach at Cohasset High School then as Dean of Men at Massachusetts Bay Community College. Ken’s transition into the business world spanned nearly 30 years initially at The William Underwood Co and then at Sanders Associates as Vice President, Human Resources. Ken’s involvement in community service spanned his entire life - serving as President or board member of several youth sports organizations and educational committees and most recently, as a board member of The Plantation Management Association. Ken is survived by his wife Marilyn; his sister Gale Walsh, brother-in-law Albert Tosone and sister-in-law Carol Roddy; his children, Kenneth (Margaret), Thomas (Lauren), Steven (Maureen), Amy and Bob (Alexis); his grandchildren Michael (Melissa), Danny, Matthew, Peter, Sarah (Jake), Drew, Claire, and William Hagerstrom and Elle, Sam, Gus and Izzy Stevenson; his great granddaughter Hazel Hagerstrom; and many nieces and nephews. His granddaughter Elisabeth Roddy Hagerstrom predeceased him. Ken will be remembered as a loving, caring and devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. He led by example, was instrumental to those around him and set the foundation for an incredibly strong family legacy. A church service will be held at the Christ United Methodist Church, 1475 Center Road, Venice, FL 34292, at 11 AM on March 1, 2018. Visitation services will be held at O’Donnell Funeral Home in Lowell, MA on March 23, 2018 from 4 to 7 PM. A short prayer service will take place in the Chapel at the Newton Cemetery in Newton, MA on March 24, 2018 at 11 AM. Internment will immediately follow the service. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tidewell Hospice Philanthropy, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238 and the Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation, 5204 Paylor Lane, Sarasota, FL 34240.

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Kenneth W. Hagerstrom

July 14, 1934 - February 15, 2018