Robert K. Fagan

Robert K. “Bob” Fagan, 91, born in Richmond Hill, Long Island, NY, on October 26, 1928 a longtime Mendon resident, passed away peacefully on Sunday, September 20, 2020, due to complications of diabetes, at home surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband to Shirley A. (Christensen) Fagan. They had just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on July 1, 2020.

In 1947, he graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Milford. Robert was a member of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local #170 from June 1959 until his retirement. He drove tractor trailers for T.D. Munhall from 1959 to 1963, B&G Trucking from 1963 to 1966 and Wilson Freight from 1966 to 1980 (Local #251).

He was a very active man and had many hobbies. In 1949, he operated his own taxi service in Mendon where he built his own home. In the 1960’s he drove race cars in the Westborough – Brookline circuit, always finishing in the top ten. When he retired from racing, he achieved his Degree in small boat piloting from the Boston Power Squadron classes and spent many happy years deep sea fishing on the cape with his 21’ boat. Bob also enjoyed snowmobiling with family and friends making trails that traveled from Mendon to CT. He also drove tractor-trailers across country hauling mobile homes and boats. After retiring from Jesse F. White Inc, he drove school buses for the town of Mendon and Marlborough, as well as limousines.

Later-on in life, he raised sheep and had burros brought from Arizona. He named them Loco and Coco.  Along came Poco, Loco and Coco’s baby a couple years later who then became a champion coon-jumper winning blue ribbons every year at the Mule and Donkey shows at Waters Farm in Sutton and at the Brooklyn Fair in CT.

Bob couldn’t sit still and lived life to the fullest. He then took up woodworking learning by reading books. He would cut a tree cut down from his yard and take it to LaBastie Sawmill in Mendon, have boards made and then make many items from things he found in those woodworking books.

In addition to his wife, he leaves three daughters, Kathy Schug and her husband Ric, of Loveland, CO, Maureen Ames and her husband Albert, of Mendon, and Valerie Fagan of Northbridge; his grandchildren, Heather Murray of Blackstone and her fiancé, Joe Conti, Jonathan Harris and his wife Sarah, of Bellingham and Jennifer Harris and her partner John Paul DiMuzio, of Bellingham; six great-grandchildren, Kassidy Murray of Blackstone, Dylan, Brooke, Declan, and Isla Harris of Bellingham, and Nico DiMuzio of Bellingham; his half-sister, Lynne Austin of Montana; and many nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents George Fagan, Elizabeth (Miller) (Fagan) LeClair; Step-father Alfred LeClair and one brother Dean Fagan of Long Island, NY., a grandson, Keith Murray; his sister’s-in-law Beverly Jones and her husband Mel, Ann Griffin; his brother’s-in-law, Gene Lloyd, Edward Cathline, and Henry Christensen and his wife Jan.

Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 23, from 9 to 10:30 AM, in the Pickering & Son Upton Funeral Home, Inc. 45 Main St. Upton.

Due to restrictions regarding COVID-19 gatherings, his funeral home service and burial at Quaker Cemetery in Mendon, will take place privately with his family.