Robert Stephen Haggerty

Robert Stephen Haggerty, 79, of Holcott Drive, Attleboro, died surrounded by his loving family at his residence on Monday, September 15, 2014. He was the husband of Joanne F. (Walsh) Haggerty to whom he was married on June 29, 1973. Born in Fall River, Massachusetts on June 8, 1935, he was a son of the late John Stephen and Teresa (Burns) Haggerty. Raised and educated in Fall River, Mr. Haggerty was a graduate of DeLaSalle, Newport, RI in 1953. He earned his Bachelor's Degree from Bridgewater State University where he was captain of the soccer and baseball teams. Mr. Haggerty earned his Master's Degree from Rhode Island College. Mr. Haggerty was a veteran of the United States Army having served from his enlistment on July 12, 1957 to his honorable discharge on June 18, 1959. As a professional athlete, he was drafted by the Milwaukee Braves and served as a pitcher for the AAA baseball team. He began his professional career in education by first being employed by the City of Fall River and Town of Bristol, Rhode Island school departments. For many years, Mr. Haggerty was a fixture in the City of Attleboro public schools having served in a variety of capacities including teacher at Brennan Middle School, Vice-Principal of Thacher Middle School, Co-coordinator of Academic and Vocational Education and Director of Vocational Education prior to his retirement in 1991. He was the Title I summer director in both Bristol, Rhode Island and Attleboro. Mr. Haggerty was also a licensed agent for Nimiroski Insurance Company in Attleboro for 17 years. He resided in Attleboro for more than 40 years and was a longtime communicant of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Attleboro. Mr. Haggerty was a lifelong sports enthusiast and enjoyed playing golf. He held several professional memberships including the Attleboro Administrators Association for which he was past president; the Secondary School Principals Association and the Retired Educators of Massachusetts. Mr. Haggerty was an active member of the community and served on the Attleboro Mental Health Board of which he was Vice President; served on the United Way Allocation Committee, was a member of the Chamber of Commerce Career Education Board and was very involved in the Attleboro Rotary Club. He was a member, board member, Past President, Area Representative for 5 years, recipient of the Paul Harris Fellowship Award and was the first recipient of the Four Avenues of Service Citation. Mr. Haggerty was board member and Past President of the Attleboro Rotary Charities Foundation, Inc., was a former member, board member and Past President of the Highland Country Club, served on the Board of Directors for the St. Mary's Educational Fund for the Diocese of Fall River and had a longtime affiliation with the Special Olympics. Mr. Haggerty was the originator of the Special Olympics Track and Field Day in Attleboro, organizer of the Golf Tournament for Special Olympics and was inducted into the Special Olympics Hall of Fame in Massachusetts. In addition to his wife of 41 years, he leaves three daughters: Mary Beth Erwin and her husband, Anthony R. Erwin, of Attleboro; Robin Hallowell and her husband, David Hallowell, of Duxbury and Colleen Tavekelian and her husband, Steve Tavekelian, of Plymouth; a son: Robert Schwarz and his wife, Mary Schwarz, of Wareham; two sisters: Patricia Wood and her husband, Ernest Wood, of Somerset and Sheila Samson, wife of the late Raymond Samson, of Swansea; ten grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, extended family members and many dear friends. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation with Veteran's Honors on Sunday, September 21, 2014 from 4:00 - 8:00 PM in the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 9:30 AM from the "Memorial Chapel" of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 AM at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, 133 North Main Street - Route 152, Attleboro with the Rev. Richard Wilson, Pastor, officiating. Burial will be private in Mount St. Mary's Cemetery, Pawtucket, Rhode Island. A children's room is available during visitation and while the funeral cortege is being organized. Those in need of transportation to visitation may simply call the funeral home at (508) 695-0200 to make an advance reservation for such gratis local transportation. Following church services, an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship and refreshments in the St. John Hospitality Center located adjacent to the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Mr. Haggerty's name may be made to either the Attleboro Rotary Charities Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 635, Attleboro, MA 02703 or to the City of Attleboro/Haggerty Trust, c/o City Treasurer's Office, 77 Park Street, Attleboro, MA 02703. For additional information or to send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit our online guestbook located on the internet at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.