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16 Thursday, February 9, 1989 Obituary/Etc, Courier-Journal Auburniati's ironic death, like his life, served cause of the people Walter O'Hagan probably would have been among the first to spot the irony of circum- stances surrounding his \j own death. In Washington, D.C., for a conference on labor and religion, Mr. O'Hagan was crossing a six-lane road in front of <his son's home in Silver Spring, Md., when he was struck- by a car and killed on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1989. His son Tom, president of the local neighborhood association, had been fight- ' ing to have a pedestrian overpass built over the dangerous road. Within days of the elder O'Ha- gan's death, local residents staged a protest and city officials contacted the son about installing a traffic signal. \I'm sure he's getting ,a chuckle out of that, wherever he is,\ Tom O'Hagan observed. For 81 years, Walter O'Hagan had placed himself on the line, fighting for social justice and labor rights. In the process, he lost jobs, was black-balled for union activities, ran un- successfully for the U.S. Senate as a socialist — and earned respect from friends as well as op- ponents. \You admired him even jf you didn't agree with him,\ observed David Clayton, editorial Group for abused forming The Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse Group of Family Services of Rochester is accepting participants. page editor of the Auburn Citizen, for which Mr. O'Hagan had written a weekly column for three years., \Here was a man who inwardly was strident in his thoughts and strong in his convictions; yet to meet him he was so gentle- manly. He was die kind of guy who, when he spoke with you, forced you to ask, 'What do I think about that?'\ \He was very serious about his ideas, but never so serious about himself,\ noted Father. Foster Rogers, pastor of Mr. O'Hagan's parish in Auburn, St. Alphonsus. \He could laugh at himself.\ ' Walter O'Hagan was born in New York City in 1907. His family moved to Auburn in 1919. A high school'drop out — Mr. QSHagan later told one friend it was because he was bored — he read Voraciously. Among his favorite read- ing materials were die social encyclicals of the church, which he quoted regularly. In 1932, Mr. O'Hagan heard socialist Nor- man Thomas on the radio and became a convert to socialism. Fourteen years later, Mr: O'Ha- gan ran unsuccessfully for die U.S. Senate as a socialist with a platform emphasizing the \need for conquering poverty and preventing the ex- ploitation of man by man.\ In 1956, he vj^as elected chairman of the New York State Socia- list Party. ! Paralleling Mr. O'Hagan's political activities were his efforts for the labor movement. During die 1930s,' he tried to organize unions, and eventually became a secretary for the local AFL-CIO. Having driven a cab for a number of years, he worked unsuccessfully for legislation to guarantee minimum wage for cab drivers and restaurant workers. In 1982, he was honored by Auburn labor unions for his longtime support. Black-balled by employers because of his union activities, Mr. O Hagan and his brother- in-law opened a soft drink distributing com- pany. Mr. O'Hagan also bought rental prop- erty, but even as a landlord he was concerned with aiding others. He assisted tenants who had trouble with public assistance, helped them find jobs and drove them to doctor's appointments or to the store. During the early 1960s, as the civil rights movement was getting off the ground, he rented an apartment in an all-white neighborhood to a black couple. Tom O'Hagan recalls that the neighbors were incensed, but his father said he could rent to whomever he pleased, and the black couple stayed. \Maybe it's people like him who got things to change,\ his son remar- ked. < Mr. O'Hagan married Mary Yahn in 1937. The couple attended St. Alphonsus Church until her death in November, 1987, and Mr. O'Ha- gan remained active in the parish until his own death.'He was instrumental in creating a parish Human Development Committee — later the Social Ministry Committee — which he chaired for many years. He also helped relocate Lato- tian refugees, start a food pantry and launch a monthly collection to help local people pay rent or buy food. Father Rogers pointed out that Mr. O'Ha- gan's socialism was very much rooted in his Christian beliefs \I sort of think underneath it all he saw the unions and the socialism as a means to carry out the Gospel,\ he said. He ad- ded mat even though Mr. O'Hagan urged priests to speak out on issues, he was never de- manding. \I remember one time he wanted me to talk about something,\ the pastor said, \but he also said, 'Now Father, please remember, you're die pastor, and you have to take respon- sibility for whatever is said.''' During his later years, Mr. O'Hagan became embroiled in debates through the letters columns in numerous newspapers, including the Courier-JournaLTtaee years ago, he went to the office of me Citizen, Auburn's newspaper, to complain that a liberal columnist had been dropped by the paper. Challenged to submit a weekly column of his own, he did, delivering each column by hand. He submitted his last column before he left for Washington. In his memory, the Citizen has created the \Walter O'Hagan Spirit Award,\ which will be given on an annual basis to a guest editoria- list writing on a topic of public interest. \He had the spirit to get involved in fighting, in taking a stand,\ Clayton said. \When we created die Walter O'Hagan Award, we were honoring his spirit.'' Mass of Christian Burial for Mr. O'Hagan was concelebrated at St. Alphonsus Church by Fathers Rogers, William Spilly, Paul Brennan, Clarence Gardner and Paul Cuddy on Monday, Jan. 30. Interment was in St. Joseph Cemetery in Auburn. Mr. O'Hagari was survived by his son; a sis- ter, Marie McCarthy of Auburn; his sister-in-. law, Gertrude Walsh; three grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. — Lee Strong Individual therapy is also available for bom -_ . ._.._. - - --, , A r\ r* g* T^II victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse s er Father Harold Higgiiis at 85; former Iiiterlakeii pastor vices may be covered by health insurance arid Medicaid. I. FRESH FISH SPECIALS Fresh Blue Fish Filet $2.99 lb. Fresh Scrod Filet $3.99 Fresh Haddock Filet $4.99 Fresh Sea Scallops $5.99 lb Call to place orders or for additional specials 385-8990 1694 Old Penfield Road • Speedy.'s Plaza Good through 2/16/89 ; COUPON I I Jumbo Piece of Fresh Haddock served with trench fries, cole slaw or side salad, bread, butter and tartar sauce. Free can of Pepsi or Coke with every fish fry. With coupon. Good thru 2(25/89. Medical < > > • I- >•• r 1< Audiologists EAST RIDGE HEARING CTR., INC. Stephen T. Hart, M.A., CCC Rochester: 196 East Ridge Road Brockport: lakeside Mem. Hospital • Hearing Evaluations • Hearing Aid Dispensing • 30-Day Trial 266-4130 TTY 266-5107 Fatiier Harold Higgins, O.F.M. Cap., who served as pastor of St. Francis Solanus Parish from 1961 to 1970, died on Wednesday, Feb. 1, 1989, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Yonkers. He was 85. At the time of his death, Father Higgins — a member of me New York-New England Prov- ince of St. Mary of me Capuchin Order — was assigned to St. Claire Friary, a residence iqr senior Capuchin friars in Yonkers. j Born in Yonkers on Feb. 3, 1903, Fathejr Higgins' baptismal name was Francis. Upon en- tering me Capuchin order on August 5, 1923, he was given the religious name Harold. Hfe pronounced first vows as a Capuchin friar op August 6, 1924, at St. Bonaventure Friary in Detroit, and made perpetual profession of die vows of poverty, chastity and obedience on Au- gust 6, 1927, at St. Anthony Friary in Mai- athon, Wise. Father Higgins was ordained a priest on June 10, 1930, in Marathon. From 1930 to 1933, Fattier Higgins served it the Capuchin novitiate in Huntington, Ind., fol - lowed by a brief assignment at St. Francis Par- ish in Milwaukee. He returned to St. Felix Friary in Huntington to convalesce from illness until 1934. Directory I Orthodontists HHH fll /DANIEL SUBTELNY, D.D.S., M.S. EDWARD SOMMERS, D.M.D. BRUCE GOLDIN, D.M.D., Ph.D. From 1934 to 1945, he was assigned to Mary. Immaculate Friary in Garrison, N.Y., where he was director of the former Third Order Villa. He served as associate pastor at Our Lady Queen of Angels Parish in New- York's East Harlem from 1945 to 1949, then moved to the Indian Mission at St. Labre, Mont., where he remained until 1954. Father Higgins lived at St. Fidelis Friary in Interlaken from 1954 until 1979, serving as pas- tor of St. Francis Solanus Parish from 1961 to 1970. He also served as part-time chaplain at the Veterans' Administration Hospital in Can- andaigua from 1954 to 1973. During his 25 years at thelnterlaken friary, he also served as guardian of the Capuchin fraternity. In 1979, Father Higgins transferred to Mary Immaculate Friary in Garrison, where he Lived until 1988. He then moved on to the newly es- tablished senior Capuchin friars' residence in Yonkers. Father Higgins is survived by a brother, also named Harold, of Bronxville, N. Y. A Mass of Resurrection for Father Higgins was celebrated! on Saturday; Feb. 4, at Sacred Heart Church in Yonkers, and he was buried at the Capuchin friars' cemetery at Sacred Heart Friary in Yonkers! A memorial scholarship to assist the edu- cation and formation of future Capuchin priests and brothers has been established in Father Higgins' name. Donations may be sent to: Father Harold Higgins Memorial Scholarship Burse, 210 W. 31st St., New York, N.Y., 10001. June Recchia, Wayne County pro-life leader, following March for Life trip to Washington 40 GROVE STREET PITTSFORD, N.Y. 14534 Dentists Podiatrists Pediatric Dentistry Richard H. Powell, Jr., D.D.S. Cheryl Kelley, D.M.D. 370 White Spruce Blvd. (near Monroe Community College) ^^ (716)424-5005 i§||| Diabetic Foot Care Sports Medicine 1 Ophthamologists Charles F. Coyle, Jr. D.P.M. Podiatric Medicine and Pediatric Surgery Diplomatic American Board 555 Winton Rd. N. A Pediatric Surgery Rochester, NY 14610 :| Fellow, American 6544910 College of Foot Surgeons Browncroft area 'l.UI II U.I.IJ \ \ EUGENE ANTHONY CIMINO, MJ>. OOTHALMOLOOY MEDICAL AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF EYE DISEASES COMPLETE CONTACT LENS SERVICE LAC DE VILLE PROFESSIONAL OFFICES HOOTS BY APPOINTMENT 1972 SOUTH CLINTON AVENUE TELEPHONE (716)244-2200 ROCHESTER. NEW YORK 14613 Prosthetir .$*% Northwest Surgical v/ ? * Boutique, Inc. 621-1900 Elizabeth Cimino, Certified Fitter Mastectomy Forms, Brassieres, HeadHner, Swimwear 465 Stoiw Rd. • Suit* 2 Rochester, N.Y. 14616 ! ffl iiM Opticians OFFICE HOURS: TUESDAY 10 - 9 WED. THURS.FRI 10-6 SATURDAY 10 - 2 PENFIELD OPTICIANS 1822 PENFIELD ROA0 PENFIELD, N.Y. 14526 (716) 381-3410 LARRY WHITESIDE LICENSED OPTICIAN ^.x,**—**:**. s^a^^^^^a^sssgsss5«^ m 1 This Space Available I MARION - Madeline (June) Recchia, chair- woman of the Respect Life Committee at St. Anne's and St. Gregory's parishes, died on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 1989. She was 53 years old. Mrs. Recchia collapsed Monday, Jan. 23, after suffering a massive cerebral hemorrhage on a bus ride home from Washington, D.C., where she joined seven other parishioners from the cluster — including her husband, John — for the national March for Life. She was taken to Holy Spirit Medical Center in Harrisburg, Pa., where she died two days later. An active member of the parish, Mrs. Rec- chia was a member of the social ministry and folk groups in addition to the Respect Life Committee, and was also co-founder of the prayer group. \When the news of June's deadly illness came, I was devastated,\ said Joan Reiliy, a good friend of Mrs. Recchia. \Not only had I lost a friend, but ... the unborn had lost their friend. \June made great strides in our local move- ment because of her patience, persistence and prayers,\ Reiliy continued. \She pulled together a strong, dedicated group of men and women and we will make her efforts shine.'' Dianne Reiliy, 16, who also attended the march, said Mrs. Recchia will also hold a spe- cial place in her heart. \On the way (to Wa- shington) I remember June and Lona (Breit- kopf) looking up passages in the Bible, reflect- ing on how ptecidus life is,\ she recalled. \June's tragedy united the people. All the way home, people were singing religious songs and saying prayers. \June died doing something she strongly be- lieved in. Maybe because of June's efforts, a few babies will be saved,\ she added. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Recchia is survived by her mother, Mrs. Madeline Deil, Rochester; one daughter, Debra Recchia; sons and daughers-in-law, John and Janine Recchia of Marion, Stephen and Susan Recchia of Pen- field, and Joseph; four grandchildren, Rene and Jeremy Welsher, Christina, Shana Recchia; brothers and sisters Donna (George) Stephen- son, N. Chili; Blaine Deil, Rochester, Lorraine Klipp, Fred Deil, Rochester, Edward (Debra) Deil, Rochester; and many relatives and friends. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Gregory's Church in Marion on Saturday, Jan. 28. Memorials may be made to Right to Life. Give your favorite \Valentine\ a unique gift of Irish fragrances. 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