Robert "Joe" W. Hagen

Robert “Joe” W. Hagen, 91, formerly of Pitcher, NY, passed away on Friday, May 9, 2014, at his home in Norwich, NY, while surrounded by his family.

Joe was born on May 15, 1922 and raised on the family farm in Pitcher Springs. His keen interest in creating and building started at an early age, always wondering what made things tick. He would tear apart his and his sister’s toys to investigate.  Life on the farm necessitated a “do-it-yourself” attitude which served him well later on in life as his business flourished.  He was nicknamed “Juggling Geometry Joe” in high school and since then became “Joe” to most of his friends and family.  Joe enjoyed competition and his love of baseball took hold, playing high school and town team ball.  He loved hunting the fields of Pitcher Springs with his family and friends.

In 1953 Joe married his lifetime love Bev Morey and then moved to the new house he had been building in the valley on Route 26. There they raised their family and lived for 60 years.  Joe was a self-taught refrigeration and appliance repairman and was self-employed for over 50 years.  As his business grew, so did his passion for golf, being a lifetime member of Knickerbocker Country Club. He was involved in the maintenance and upkeep of the clubhouse, especially the refrigeration work.  Joe was involved in community affairs, serving on the Pitcher Town Board for 13 years and was active in local youth baseball as a coach. 

Joe was famous for taking a device and modifying and improving it to his taste. His original creations are also legendary among family and friends, including – a motorized bicycle, built as a boy, a miniature electric tractor in the backyard, a flying sled, a musical cat door, a rotating solar panel on the roof, a home-made car carrier, sectional and portable work benches, the Hagen-Adamo bridge, and countless built-in cabinets, cupboards and beautiful pieces of furniture.  In later years, he built his workshop near the road and spent countless hours creating and repairing items there. Many birthday or Christmas gifts from Joe were home-made.

In retirement, Joe enjoyed the Atlanta Braves, music, crossword puzzles, lawn mowing, yard work and visiting with family and friends. 

Never one to complain, Joe would take what life dealt him in stride, and even his last days were complaint free.

He will be remembered for his twinkling blue eyes, easy smile, quick sense of humor, amazing ingenuity, gentle strength and his generous love for his family.

He is survived by his loving wife, Beverly (Morey) Hagen; and his children, William (Martha) Hagen, Donald (Lisa) Hagen, and Ann (Paul) Adamo.  He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Miranda Hagen, William Hagen, Stella (Kwanza) Hagen, Chrissy Hagen, Casey Hagen, Tyler Hagen, Michael Hagen, Meredith Adamo, and Adrian Adamo; and a sister, Ruth Evans.

A memorial service will be held at the K.L. Sharp Funeral Home, Cincinnatus, NY, on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at 1:00 p.m. with Jeanne Angell officiating.  The family will be present to receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. prior to the service.  Expressions of sympathy in memory of Joe may be directed to the Hospice and Palliative Care of Chenango County, 21 Hayes Street, Norwich, NY 13815.