Bernard J. Fagan

Middletown, RI - Bernard Joseph Fagan, 81, of 6 Sachuest Dr, Middletown, RI and Treasure Island, FL, passed away peacefully onto his heavenly journey to join his beloved wife, Annabelle after a courageous 35 year battle with cancer on Saturday, August 23, 2008. Born in Newport, RI on June 23, 1927, he was the son of the late Bernard and Sigrid Erickson Fagan. He assumed the male leadership role in the family at the age of seven when his father disappeared under mysterious circumstances. He served in the U.S. Navy during and after World War II, serving in the Mediterranean and Pacific Theater, with ports of call in the Philippines, Japan and Italy. For his service he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Medal and The World War II Victory Medal. Upon his honorable discharge from the Navy, Mr. Fagan returned to Newport and graduated from Rogers High School in 1947, where he played Football for the Vikings. He subsequently attended URI and Barrington Junior College as a Business Major. Bernie was the devoted and loving husband of the late Annabelle Harrison Fagan for 57 years, marrying her in 1950. He worked at Geo. Harrison Ford, Inc. for 30 years, starting out as a salesman and working his way through the ranks until he reached the position of President. His success was in large part due not only to long hours and hard work, but also his gift for turning strangers into friends within minutes of meeting them, a gift that blessed him and those who knew him to his dying day. In retirement he developed a passion for painting and was successful in selling his seascapes through local stores. Mr. Fagan served as President of the Newport Jaycees and the Newport County New Car Dealers Association. He was a former board member of the Small Business Administration, representing Newport County businesses, Newport Hospital, United Way, RI Ford Dealers Association and the Newport Chamber of Commerce Auto Dealers. He served as Chairperson of the RI Chapter of the New England Left-Handed Golfers Association, an organization that held tournaments in all 6 New England states during each summer and whose membership included Bill Russell, the former Boston Celtics Center. Mr. Fagan was a lifetime member of the Newport Preservation Society and a former member of the Middletown Lions Club, the Green Valley Country Club and the Idle Hour Club. Bernie enjoyed golfing, boating, playing a friendly game of poker with friends, and watching his favorite sports teams on the television. He was a lifelong Red Sox, Celtics and Cleveland Browns fan. He is survived by his three sons Stephen G. Fagan and Bernard J. Fagan Jr., both of Middletown, RI, and Scott H. Fagan of Portsmouth, RI; their wives Christine Fagan, Renee Fagan and Mary Fagan, respectively; his grandchildren , Malia Fagan, Stephanie Fagan, Patrick Fagan, Shane Fagan, Adam Kela-Fagan, Danielle Ross, Matthew Perry and Jesse Ross; his great granddaughter Tayler Ottilige; nieces and nephews Leslie Anderson, Thomas Noonan, David Noonan, Vernon Graham, and Pamela Watson, several great nieces and nephews as well as cousins and their families. He is preceded in death by his sister Helen Fagan Noonan. A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, August 28 at 10:00 am at United Congregational Church, Middletown, RI. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society of Rhode Island, 931 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886.