James William Hagerty

Madison - James William Hagerty, age 87 passed away on Tuesday, June 14, 2016 at Karmenta Nursing Home after a brief health issue. He was born on January 24, 1929 in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, to John and Emma (Dochnahl) Hagerty. The family lived in the Boscobel until just before Jim began Kindergarten, at which time they moved back to Dodgeville. He and his brothers lived with their loving, kind and generous grandparents John and Liz Dochnahl, when their mother became ill and then passed away. Jim moved to Madison in his early high school years to live with his grandmother Cora Hagerty and his father. He attended East High School and then joined the Air Force, where he worked in weather corps. After the service, Jim was an officer with the Madison Police Department for a short while. He was united in marriage to Lea Greenberg on March 24, 1952. He soon switched jobs joining the United States Postal Service. He retired as a supervisor on December 2, 1988. Jim had an exceptional sense of humor, was always hard working, had impeccable honesty and integrity, and always took care of his family. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, hunting and fishing until his retirement. He was famous for pipe rides - his profile indentifiable due to his pipe clenched between his teeth. He logged many miles around the mid to southern Wisconsin countryside, which he absolutely loved and appreciated, and liked to drop in on family and friends.

James is survived by his four children; Kay Hagerty, Lynn Herman, Lori Hagerty and Jim Hagerty II, all of Madison; his cherished grandchildren, Elle Herman, Jennifer Schipper, Cora Herman, David Fredenberg, Casey Hagerty and Adam Hagerty and faithful nieces and nephew, Marcia (Steve) Shaya, Pam Grat, Bill Hagerty and Mary McCormic; along with sister-in-law Charlotte Hagerty and her family and nieces Patti Hulsizer and Lisa Hagerty and their children. He was preceded in death by his wife Lea, his parents, his grandparents, and four brothers, John, Frank (Infant), Robert and Floyd.

A time to gather and celebrate Jim's life will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2016 beginning at 2:00 pm at CRESS FUNERAL & CREMATION SERVICE, 3325 East Washington Ave., Madison, WI. Military honors will begin at 3:30 pm, followed by a time to share memories. Jim was a casual guy, so feel free to dress casually. Light refreshments will be provided during the gathering. A private interment will be held at a later time at St. Joseph Cemetery in Dodgeville, WI.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. John's Union Mills Preservation Inc, c/o C Meuer, 1104 Georgene St, Dodgeville, WI 53533 or to Karmenta Center, Resident Activities/Entertainment, 4505 Milwaukee Street, Madison, WI 53714.

Kay and Lynn would like to extend a special acknowledgement to the Karmenta Center for going the extra mile with Jim's care and for accepting Jim in the first place, seeing as the messed up health care system just looks at age/health complications rather than operating out of compassion and respect for a human being. Thank you again, Karmenta.