Edward "Ed" Lawrence Hagen Jr.

Edward Lawrence Hagen, Jr. “Ed”, age 75, of Bradenton, Florida passed away on Monday, July 25, 2022. He was born on June 30, 1947, in Chicago, Illinois to the late Edward and Carol “Gene” (nee Long) Hagen. Ed attended Mount Carmel Catholic High School, and earned a BS degree in Economics at the University of Illinois (Chicago Campus) after serving in the Marine Corps Reserves in San Diego, CA. He enjoyed a long career in Human Resources and Sales in the Paper Industry, principally at Union Camp Corporation in Des Plaines, IL, Tifton and Atlanta, Georgia, before retiring to Sarasota & Bradenton, FL in 2003.

He excelled in building relationships and friendships with everyone he touched, including his superiors, other managers, co-workers, customers, neighbors, golf buddies, and most importantly within the church community. He and his wife, Anita, of 38 years returned together to their Christian faith when they joined Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, Lakewood Ranch, FL in 2014, where Anita converted in 2018, and they convalidated their marriage in 2019.

Ed was loved by everyone who knew him. His trademarks were humility, kindness, sense of humor, respect for others, moral character and love of God, Family, Country and Friends. His volunteerism in the church’s money counting ministry and St. Joseph Food Pantry gave him great satisfaction and camaraderie while helping others.

He and Anita spent the first 10 years of their marriage in Chicago, where they reveled in the “golden era” of Ditka’s Chicago Bears winning the Superbowl, Michael Jordan’s Bulls becoming 3-peat Champs, and they had season’s tickets to Notre Dame Football games in South Bend, Indiana. He did have to wait until moving to Florida to finally experience his lifetime dream of his beloved Chicago Cubs winning the World Championship in 2016.

Ed is survived by his beloved wife Anita Carter Hagen, sister Carol Hagen Alwin, niece Bernadette Hagen-Nunez, niece Emily Hagen, and several cherished cousins. He was pre-deceased by his brother, Robert Anthony Hagen.

A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church, 12905 SR70 W, Bradenton, FL 34202, at 11am followed by a reception in the Parish Center adjacent to the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Joseph Food Pantry, c/o St. Joseph Catholic Church, 2704 33rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.rtslwr.com for the Hagen family.