Hagedorn, Jeffrey Girard
Jeffrey Girard Hagedorn died on January 5th 2023, after a brief illness In New London, CT. He was one week shy of his 74th birthday. Jeff lived a large, adventurous life, much like Ernest Hemingway, with a love of words, language, weaving grand and funny tales and traveling the high seas. He grew up in a large raucous family in New Britain, CT with six brothers and one sister where he was one of the chief instigators of mischief and mayhem. He was educated at St. Thomas Aquinas High School (1967) in New Britain, CT, Hobart and William Smith College in Geneva, NY (1972) where he studied Creative Writing, and then went on to receive his Master in Fine Arts at the prestigious Creative Writing program at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas. He did some creative writing focusing on poetry and playwriting. Jeff's professional work life reflected the diversity of his life's interests. This included working in the Social Affairs Office of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, to editing a medical magazine, to being an arborist in Vermont before taking to the high seas as a member of the Merchant Marines. He loved the solitude and the vastness of the life at sea where his convoy visited many exotic places, but also assisted during times of conflict. One very special place he visited and loved was Diego Garcia, a military atoll that is part of the Chagos Islands in the Indian Ocean.
His passion for the natural world around him was equaled only by a fervent desire to engage directly with it. There was always another cross-country trip by bicycle planned, a bird count for the Audubon Society to participate in or a river, lake or ocean to swim in. His love of swimming and experience in water rescue were invaluable skills he used in providing service as a lifeguard in the Charleston community. In retirement, he became an avid teacher of the night skies at nearby observatories in South Carolina and aided in the care of his aging mother. His final years were spent close to the ocean he so loved in Westerly Rhode Island.
Jeff is predeceased by his loving son, William Hagedorn and parents, Dr. Maxwell and Marie Hagedorn. Remaining to grieve his loss are his immediate family Mark and Ann Hagedorn of Clinton, CT, Joel and Cate Hagedorn of Hollywood, FL, James and Ana Hagedorn of Bend, OR, Mary Hagedorn and Ned Busch of Kaneohe, HI, Keith Hagedorn of Maggie Valley, NC, Steve Hagedorn of Delray Beach, FL and Glenn and Rebecca Hagedorn of Apex, NC, along with 10 nieces and nephews and 4 grandnieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass is planned for springtime 2023 at St. John's Church in Old Saybrook, CT followed by a gathering at his beloved ocean. He was a quiet, loving and eloquent brother and we will miss him dearly. God speed on your journey, Jeff. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.