Don Fagan Remembered

Tanna (Unangst) Deater ’01

Prof. Fagan was the best professor that I had there. I loved his classes, having had to take several from him. One thing he said in his classes that I will never forget: “I love what I do, he said. “Find a job that you love doing every day, because life is too short to have to go to a job that you don’t like.”

I strive to live up to what he said, knowing that it is the truth. He loved his job and it showed to all the students. He would tell us of his travels, but always tie it into what he wanted us to learn. He was someone I was going to invite to my wedding, not sure if he would remember me, but
someone I remembered as the friendliest, most caring teacher there was. I will remember him always.

Jan Donahue, DWC EXCEL staff

It has been my honor to know Don since 1999. One day I met Don in a hallway. I admired a red silk necktie emblazoned with a yellow dragon that he was wearing. A few days later two of Don’s students showed up at my office door with that necktie and a cut flower that “Mr. Fagan wanted me to have.” Don is a wonderful man who leaves us many wonderful memories. I will cherish that necktie. To his family, please accept my deepest sympathies.

Kristine Cummings-Jarnich ’99

I will always remember and cherish every class I took with Mr. Fagan. He has always been there for me and my family. Since the day I graduated, he had e-mailed me and told me funny things going on around campus and kept me informed of all student activities, since I was no longer there to run the department!

I remember sitting in his class and getting ready for a test; he would say the question is ... and the answer is found on page ...! or realizing he was so easy distracted, and would tell a story for most of the class.

His love for the retched drink MOXIE! YUCK! or sitting in Mr. Raichelson's as Mr. Fagan walks in and distracts the whole class, including Raichelson, for 40 minutes about anything and everything! The one thing I quote to this day, and refer back to him, is when he would thank all of us for paying into his Social Security, because Lord knows there wouldn't be any when it is time for us to collect it!

When I got married this October a gift arrived from Bed Bath and Beyond. I had no idea how he found out where I was registered and was shocked he and his family were so generous to me! I will always remember my favorite professor and my heart goes out to his loving family! God Bless them during this time!

Paul LaBarre, DWC director of alumni

Don Fagan was exemplary in his commitment to our students AND alumni over the years. HE was the first one every alumnus asked about, and he was always willing to attend ANY alumni gathering ANYWHERE — no matter how poorly he felt. As Sue Elsass said, he was the #1 FAN for all DWC sports and probably attended more games over the years than everyone else combined. He was committed to ALL of of DWC, especially our students — always; IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THEM, and that's why they were so committed to him, even through the tough times.

Krystle Kelly ’06

My freshman year I had Professor Fagan's macroeconomics class. It was the biggest class I had ever had at DWC, with about 45 kids in it. I was surrounded by friends on the right corner of the room and they always seemed to have something to say to me and every time I answered, Professor Fagan caught me. One day before I left class he said, "Krystle, I love you … but if you keep talking I'm calling your mother." And he wasn't kidding! So … I quickly stopped talking and started listening to his stories about test driving brand new cars and then crashing them and learned to understand what 'economies of scale' meant. That Valentines Day, I received a single red rose in the mail. Professor Fagan had asked me if I had a boyfriend and we had joked about the "options" at Daniel Webster but I didn't think he would remember. Professor Fagan ALWAYS remembered ... and he always showed he cared.

Later in my college career I worked more closely with him through Phi Beta Lambda. That organization has the best professors running it. Professors Fagan and Parmenter worked together so well. When the opportunity to go to Hong Kong over winter break came up, Professor Fagan personally contributed a significant amount of money to students in our group because he felt that it was an experience that we couldn't afford to miss. Phi Beta Lambda meetings were held at 8 a.m. on Monday mornings and Fagan was always there with his coffee and a wise crack as I entered the room. Everyone felt like his grandchild. I think that's why students, even those from 30 years ago, feel the loss so close to their hearts. You will always be our mentor Fagan.

Tara Sargent '06

I was in that same class as Krystle was in, and I was part of the problem that Krystle got blamed for; Fagan always called me "Trouble or Pain."

When I lived on campus I would sit in his office for hours just talking about everything going on in our lives as well as the world. He even knew how to cheer me up whenever I needed a pick me up! I can remember fall semester this year he would walk into a class that I was in and would make comments about having "Trouble" in that class. I am glad I had an ongoing joke with him over the four years I got to spend with Professor Fagan.

I also have other memories of him that I want to share. I used to go to the Worcester IceCats hockey games all the time, and majority of the games that I was at, he was as well. I even got an autographed t-shirt for him. That same year I received a rose from him on Valentine's Day, and he wouldn't admit to me that he put it in my mail box, but after a year or so he finally told me it was him. I also remember him telling me how excited he was that he was a great-grandfather, and he would show me the picture every day even though I had seen it a thousand times, but it was worth seeing the smile on his face each time. He is and always will be a special professor to me. I give my love and condolences to his family, friends, students, and colleagues.

Fritz E. Bachli, DWC faculty

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Fagan. As you know, I have been an adjunct at DWC for several years and met Mr. Fagan on a few occasions, so I really can't say much about my encounters with the fine gentleman. But reading what is said about Don, I feel the pain of all my colleagues and friends at DWC. My thoughts are with Mr. Fagan's family and you all who worked side by side with Don. I shall keep Mr. Fagan in my prayers.

My sincere condolences. Best regards.

Byron Gittens, Class of 96/97

I will never forget the professor I knew as Donald Fagan at Daniel Webster College. His class was truly a pleasure and he will never be forgotten. I will never forget the end of the school year for 1993 as a freshman. The last day of class Mr. Fagan asked me to perform at his mother's nursing home in Lowell, he thought I did such wonders at the talent show at DWC, he wanted me to do a "number" at the Nursing home in Lowell. I drove down with Mr. Fagan and we had a great time talking on the way down, at the show, and on the way back. I truly will miss him and my prayers go out to his family.

I can remember another time that he and I just sat in his office and talked about life in general, he was more than a teacher, so much more. We love and miss you Mr. Fagan!

Marilyn Valentine, DWC staff

I had the privilege of going to Yellowstone on the same trip as Don in 2004. What a treat! He made it clear that he was going on all the hikes and made me feel old because I had planned to skip a few and just take in the scenery (so of course I had to go on all of them in order to keep up with him!) I’m so glad I changed my mind.

On one hike we had both reached our limit and I happened upon Don resting halfway up the trail. We sat and looked at the breathtaking scenery of the Grand Tetons. And then two little four-legged creatures (chipmunks) decided that they wanted my trail mix and climbed in my lap to get it! Don couldn’t resist petting them, which they didn’t seem to mind; he was in awe of their tameness. Then after a few minutes we became a trailside circus and all the kids that came by, directed by Don, wanted to feed the chipmunks. He instructed them on the proper care and feeding of chipmunks as if he’d been doing it all his life. He was just thrilled to be in the middle of it all. There he was out in the middle of nowhere and students were still flocking around him!

I was amused by how someone of his experience and wisdom could look at something so small and ordinary — with wonderment … I hope I’ve learned to see things that way. If I have, then I guess that means Don wasn’t just a colleague; he was my professor too.

Gary J. Lane Jr.

While we all mourn the passing of Professor Fagan and share the numerous life stories that he has shared with us while he graced us with his presence, I know that the Lord had something greater in mind, when he called him home. So while we all have lost a friend, a confidant, and a great human being, I believe that God has gained a valuable soul, in heaven.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time.