Obituary of Edward Henry Hagarty

On June 29th, 2012, peacefully, surrounded by his family. Born in Halifax on March 15, 1925, Ted was the third son of Colonel William Grassett Hagarty D.S.O. and Mary Kinney of Boston. Ted was predeceased by his brothers John and Ken, and is survived by older brother William, and younger sisters Jacqueline Riddel (Jack) of Nobleton, and Susan Strain (Terry) of Calgary. Ted grew up joyously on various army bases across Canada, riding cavalry horses, jumping fences, rolling logs on the Ottawa River with his brothers, and sleeping outdoors under starry skies. Enlisted with the first Canadian Airborne at age nineteen, Ted saw active service as a paratrooper in the European theatre with the First Canadian Parachute Battalion during the closing years of the Second World War, notably accepting the surrender of an entire German platoon to his single and lowly sten gun. Returning from the war, Ted attended the University of Toronto where he studied architecture and met the love of his life, Elaine Florence Popkin. They were married on November 17th, 1951 and had six children, Anne Elaine (David Brennan, Christopher, Michael), Patricia Mary (James Lenahan, Katie, James, Maura) , John Ernest (Gaylene Herle, Sarah, Matthew), Michael Edward (Moe Smith, Jon, Meg, Jeff, Jed, Cal), Timothy Henry (Rhonda Miller, Alex, Jack, Ethan), and Christopher William (Doris Sbrizzi, Laura, Nicole). Ted was a very proud and well-loved grandfather, granddad, and buppy to his seventeen cherished grandchildren. He is lovingly remembered by his wonderful in-laws, nieces, and nephews. Professionally, in various partnerships, Ted designed and supervised the construction of hundreds of buildings in southwestern Ontario, winning over church and school boards alike with his easy charm and ready wit. It was impossible to travel anywhere in Ontario, without Ted proudly pointing out a school, church, or institution, that he had designed. An avid sportsman, and photographer, Ted loved to paint, sketch, and hike, and was constantly looking for the next great shot, usually just over the next ridge. His lifelong passion for skiing and fishing lives on through subsequent generations. Ted and Lannie were great travelers, and followed their love of art, architecture, and humanity to many corners of the world. More than anything, Ted loved his wife, his children, and his adoring grandchildren, and will be remembered for his laughter, his wonderful and occasionally familiar jokes, and his quiet and courageous example. In celebration of his remarkable life, visitation will be held on Wednesday from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, where the memorial service will be conducted on Thursday, July 5th, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Ted are asked to consider the Heart and Stroke Foundation.