Remembering Don Fagan page 2

Steve Shaw '04

I remember so well my first encounter with Don. As I left class that night I remember thinking to myself what a unique, even quirky guy he is, with his wallet comprised of nothing more than a Ziploc plastic baggie. I found that so amusing and yet admirably practical as well. That same amusement for his stories, along with the warmth of his personality and his passion for his students soon endeared him to many of us.

I will always remember him...for his quirkiness, his caring, but most of all, I will always cherish the friendship of a great professor and a caring man. He will be missed by all; we are all better for the richness of his life and the wisdom he chose to share with so many of us.

Thank you Don, and extended thanks to his family for so generously sharing him with us through the years.

Nicholas Gosselin ’04

I originally got to know Professor Fagan through ITS (Information Technology Serves) when I was working at the help desk. I helped him out on many occasions with his PC. Sometimes when we met in the halls he would have quick questions for me or ask me to fix something. After helping him out I remember him saying, "I am a low -tech guy in a high-tech world." He will truly be a missed member of the DWC family.

Chris Dahlstrand, '01

Mr. Fagan, and his stories share a place in the heart of all who knew him. DWC will never see another like him; those of us who have come and gone would consider ourselves fortunate to have known such a charismatic, unpretentious man.

Daren Hudson '88

I didn't really get to know Don until after graduation, when I became involved with alumni relations. It was clear to me from the beginning that Don was the "DWC Booster Club!" Always a smile, a twinkle in his eye and a witty comment to get you laughing. Don would go out of his way to support school events with the spirit of a seasoned cheerleader! As I talk to alumni from DWC and read these wonderful remembrances it is clear that the memory of Professor Don Fagan will live on and on… What a guy! Thank you Don, God Bless you and your family.

Darlene (Meely ) Hutchinson ’93

Mr. Fagan was the heart and soul of DWC. He was always there with a laugh and a smile, but he was also always available to assist with any academic questions or needs you had. He was not just a professor. He took such a sincere interest in each person as so much more than a student.

He took a genuine interest in not just teaching the students out of a book, but teaching life lessons. Lessons that remain with me and many other DWC students today. He was always looking for students to volunteer with various community projects. Whether it was a project you assisted on or a picnic you enjoyed at his home with his fantastic family, he always made you feel like you had a second family. I now work at a Catholic University (Saint Joseph's) and see these projects on a day-to-day basis with our students and am reminded of Mr. Fagan's love for helping others.

Mr. Fagan traveled to our house several times for a visit. He was the life of the party and it was always great to hear him on the other line of the phone with his flight arrangements. He would greet you at the airport with the biggest smile — the one you could always count on. Members of my family would ask — when will we see Don Fagan again? He just had that charismatic personality and you couldn't help but love him.

DWC has lost an incredible person. Anyone who knew Don Fagan will forever have his handprint on their heart. My deepest sympathy and condolences are extended to the Fagan family. God Bless You, Mr. Fagan!

Tim & Cheryl Trejbal Shea '78

It's a sad day, but I'm laughing through tears as I recall "JD" McAulay's ('77) killer impression of Mr. Fagan's mannerisms. No one laughed harder than he did. Even when we teased him about burning his mustache because he smoked those stogies down so short.

John Misiuk ’83

I have known Don since 1979. I first met him one evening when I was making my rounds as a work study student security guard. Don was in the faculty lounge and I had just entered from the outside door. I entered the office area not expecting to find anyone there, and when I opened the door, there stood Don. I nearly jumped out of my skin! We had a good laugh and remained friends ever since.

I have kept in touch with him over the years, and he even went camping we me in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We sat around the campfire and talk of old friends and had many laughs. Every time I visited DWC I made it a point to look Don up. He showed me around the new facility. He was especially happy with his office and class room. He was happy at the progress that DWC had made over the years.

He especially enjoyed seeing his former students return to the campus and seeing how they had made their mark in the world. Don was an institution unto himself. He took a difficult course and made it enjoyable. He had a quick wit, a great sense of humor, a friendly smile, and a story for nearly every occasion. He was an icon at Daniel Webster. If you ever ran into a fellow alumni all you had to do was mention his name and you knew you were in good company. Don would take a dry subject like Macro and Micro Economics and make it interesting and fun. He will be missed not only by the present faculty, staff, and students, but by all who worked with him and knew him over the years.

Ted Giampietro ’03

Don, serving under your tutelage was just as much an Honor as my service to my country. On behalf of all the men and woman in the US Armed Forces to whom you touched, "We Salute You!"

Thank you for pulling me through some tough times, which notably concluded with your blessing on our class' final project that enabled me and the others to receive our degree ... We couldn't have asked for a better facilitator!

"God Bless Mr. Fagan and Forever Comfort Him"

My condolences to the Fagan Family — my family's thoughts and prayers are with you all — God Bless.

Ian Scofidio ’93

I was married and living off campus as a full-time student when taking Don Fagan's microeconomics class. My wife and I were in the process of buying a home, and Don immediately rose to the occasion to make himself our financial advisor. He made it my class project.

What struck me about him was his level of personal engagement not only with me, but each and every student who came in contact with him. There was a level of passion and genuine concern for students rarely seen. He presented his classes in a context that helped my family's personal life, and I will always be grateful. Thank you Don, we will miss you.

Lisa (Merzigian) Balch '87

Professor Fagan taught me how to balance my checkbook in Business Management my sophomore year ... what a waste of his time, as I still haven't done it in 22 years!

When we lost Chris Adams (Class of '88) in the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Saudi Arabia, a group of us attended his funeral in NY. Thank goodness Professor Fagan was there. It was such a difficult and sad time, but he kept us going with great memories of Chris.

Being with him always made you fell better ~ no matter what.

With much love to his family,
Lisa Balch

Professor Nigel Jamieson

I was fortunate enough to spend a semester with Don at DWC last year in my role as Visiting Professor from Australia. Don and I instantly got along not only because he was a warm and welcoming person, but also because he had a certain irreverence that I associated with and we had a similar sense of humor. I will miss his jokes, his warm and smiling disposition, and the wicked “stirring” of those we knew needed to “lighten up.” I certainly now will miss his always cheery and sincere greeting and salutation of me, “G’day Kangaroo.”

A great man, an even better teacher and a colleague I will always count myself as fortunate to have spent time with with him. My sincere condolences to his family and the rest of the business division — we have lost a great Professor and friend.