IN MEMORY:
FR. CHARLES LAGAN, S.F.M.
1938 – 2002

Summer 2002

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On Easter Tuesday morning, April 2, during our community mass, we received the sad news that Fr. Charlie Lagan had died during the night. He had just celebrated his 64th birthday with his brother Michael in Hamilton. His sudden death was attributed to his severe diabetes and a previous stroke.

Fr. Charlie was born in Motherwell, Scotland, on March 30, 1938, to Charles and Annie Lagan. The family moved to Hamilton, Ontario, with their seven children in 1949. Fr. Charlie attended St. Patrick’s School in Hamilton and Cathedral High School. He entered Scarboro Missions in 1957 and was ordained by Archbishop Philip Pocock on August 11, 1963, at St. Gregory’s Church, Islington, Ontario.

He was first assigned to the Dominican Republic where he served until returning to Canada in 1966 for health reasons. Later that year, he was assigned to the Bahamas mission and served on Harbour Island, Nassau, and Cat Island. He then went on to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for one year.

He returned to Canada in 1975 for medical treatment and was assigned to work in his home diocese of Hamilton. He served in the parishes of Burlington, Erin, Guelph and Hamilton until he suffered a major stroke in 1993. Since that time Fr. Charlie had been part of the Scarboro Missions community in Scarborough, Ontario.

Fr. Charlie’s brothers and sisters were present for the vigil service and the funeral mass: John of Caledonia; Michael, James, and Mary (Mrs. A. Papp) of Hamilton; Sr. Mary Patricia, Precious Blood Sisters, P.E.I.; and Anne (Mrs. L. Andrewview) of Vineland. Many nephews and nieces were also present with their spouses. Several priests from Hamilton participated, and Precious Blood Sisters from their Scarborough community were with us.

At the Prayers of Commendation, Bishop Matthew Ustrzycki of Hamilton Diocese praised Fr. Charlie’s love for the parishioners, his powerful voice and unambiguous message. Others commented on Fr. Charlie’s unique sense of humour and his ability to reach certain people who could not be touched by others. Fr. Charlie was quite frustrated by his physical limitations, but tried to remain completely independent. His faith was unwavering, however, and we thank God for his perseverance throughout his long struggle.

Fr. Charlie is now free at last. May he rest in peace.

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