Fagan, Augustine John
Augustine “Gus” John FaganAugustine “Gus” John Fagan peacefully departed this life on Friday, February 27, 2015.Gus was born in Everett, Massachusetts, the seventh of ten children to the late Augustine Fagan and Mary Ellen Williams Fagan, formally of Newfoundland, Canada. He was also predeceased by two sisters, Florence O’ Brien and Marie Doherty; a brother, Richard Fagan and wife, Ruth; and a brother-in-law, Jim Guzzo, all of Massachusetts.Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of forty two years, Carmel; his devoted daughter, Maureen Frink; his caring son-in-law, Daniel Frink; and his two dearly treasured granddaughters, Ann Marie and Dana Frink, all of Richmond ,Virginia. He is also survived by two brothers, James Fagan and wife, Patricia, and Lawrence Fagan and wife, Barbara; and four sisters, Margaret Fagan Guzzo, Norma Fagan Fenzel and husband, Fred, Claire Fagan Cahill and husband, Jack, and Linda Fagan Laurendeau and partner, Jim Bunton, all of Massachusetts. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews, relatives, and numerous faithful and caring friends.Gus grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts surrounded by a loving and supportive large family. He attended Arlington High School during which time he made the decision to enter the Priesthood at Saint Joseph’s Preparatory Seminary in Rural Alabama. During this period Gus and several of his fellow Seminarians in Alabama were active in The Civil Rights Movement. They were privileged to be able to participate in Doctor Martin King, Jr. March on Washington, D.C. on August 28, 1963. This experience at an early age helped him embody Dr. King’s message of making the world a better and fairer place for all people. Throughout his life, Gus’ efforts to live this message was evidenced in his sincere acceptance of all the people he encountered, regardless of their station in life.Seven years later he was ordained a Trinitarian Priest and completed a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy/Classics at Holy Trinity Mission Seminary. He continued his studies at Catholic University of America in Washington, D. C. from where he received a Master’s Degree in Philosophy. Later he attended Summer Sessions at The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia where he completed a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Educational Administration [Ed.S.]As an ordained Trinitarian Priest, Gus was assigned to Father Judge Seminary in Monroe, Virginia, where he served as Teacher, Counselor, and Principal for several years. After his decision to leave the active ministry, Gus continued his work in a career of Public Service. Most of his life he lived and worked in Virginia. He held positions as Teacher of Latin and English at Middlesex County Public High School and later was offered a position as Assistant Superintendent for Instruction for The Middlesex Public School System. Gus, his wife Carmel, and baby daughter Maureen resided in Urbanna,Virginia at that time.Having always had a desire to return home to Boston to live, he believed that while his daughter was still very young would be the perfect time to make the move. During that short stay in Boston, while seeking employment, he was offered a job by The AVCO Corporation to be on a startup team as Assistant Center Director at the then new Red Rock Job Corps Center in Pennsylvania. While working there, he was approached by AVCO Corporation offering him a position as Center Director for another new Job Corps Center in Virginia, scheduled to open that summer. To his amazement it turned out that new Center would be located at the former Father Judge Seminary in Monroe, Virginia, where he had previously served as Principal. Living and working here in the Lynchburg was definitely “meant to be.” He had returned to Virginia to continue to work with, and serve the people of Central Virginia.Gus always had a desire to provide a better life for the less fortunate, especially for people with disabilities. He was given an opportunity to begin this work when he accepted the job as Executive Director of Lynchburg Sheltered Industries, Inc. and later as Executive Director of Central Virginia Community Services, from which he retired after twenty years of service.One of his goals when he came to CVCS was to expand community housing for people with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Over several years, CVCS in partnership with other agencies, was able to open group homes in Lynchburg and Bedford and the counties of Amherst, Appomattox and Campbell. An apartment complex for people with mental illness was also built in Lynchburg. One of his most significant legacies was the development of the old Courtland building into a mental health /substance abuse treatment center. It is a beautiful example of a way to preserve an old historic building while bringing a variety of services under one roof. Gus was a very dedicated and hardworking individual, who brought innovative yet much needed services to parts of this area. As Executive Director of CVCS his vision was to provide quality services to all of their clients and he strove daily to fulfill that mission.While working here in Central Virginia, Gus was singled out for many Professional and Community honors. He was humbled, yet thankful for the following awards: The National Conference of Christians and Jews Brotherhood Citation, Virginia MHMRSA Services Board Volunteer Award, VACSB Outstanding Service Award, Kiwanis Distinguished Service Award, Leadership Lynchburg Certificate of Appreciation, Virginia Mental Health Consumers Association, Consumer Participation Award, The Arc of Central Virginia Professional Award and a Commendation from the Virginia General Assembly, House Joint Resolution 543. After his retirement, he was specially honored by The Board of Directors of Central Virginia Community Services by the renaming of the Administration Building to the Fagan Building in recognition of his significant 20 year contribution to the Agency.He was also a member of numerous local boards and associations. He was an active member of Holy Cross Catholic Church for over thirty years. He taught in the Christian Education Program, served on Parish Council, and was Chairman of the Building Committee for twenty years. As Chairman he presided over the renovation of the church interior, the construction of the Common’s area, and new Parish Life Center. He was a member of The Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg, and of George Bean’s Men’s Study Group which met on Tuesday mornings. When not working or volunteering, Gus enjoyed reading, singing in the Jefferson Choral Society, and seeing a show on Broadway whenever possible. He enjoyed many trips to Cape Cod with his family and to Ireland to visit Carmel’s family. Gus was always known as a people person and he fell in love with the Irish people. In return, they loved and appreciated him – most especially when he sang “Oh Danny Boy” at family weddings and parties! Having played baseball with the Arlington High School team, the Pirates, Gus continued to follow the sport throughout his lifetime and became a dedicated Boston Red Sox fan. He cherished the times he attended games at Fenway Park with family and rarely missed a game on T.V. He frequently wore one of his many Red Sox hats while walking on the Black Water Trail here in Lynchburg. Even as his disease progressed, he still found great joy in hearing fellow walkers yell “Go Sox” as they passed him.Gus was the kind of leader who loved people without regard for their station in life, who protected the dignity of the staff and client alike, and who responded to need with a heart of compassion. He fervently believed in an open door policy, giving persons in need access to his wisdom and direction. Gus was especially attentive to clients who could not help themselves but needed an advocate. Part of his mission was to give a voice to those who were less fortunate and who needed skills he could teach them to exercise.Gus was a devoted and beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother to all of us left to cherish his memory. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten.The family wishes to thank all those who cared for him in the last period of his life including the compassionate and dedicated staff of The Elms of Lynchburg and Generations Solutions. We appreciate the kindness showered upon him and the preservation of his dignity as he progressed in his disease.The family will receive visitors Thursday, March 5, 2015, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Tharp Funeral Home at 220 Breezewood Drive, Lynchburg. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2015, by Monsignor Kenneth Rush at Holy Cross Catholic Church.To honor his memory, in lieu of flowers, please consider giving a contribution to the charity of your choice or by doing a good deed for someone in need.Tharp Funeral Home, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424, to send condolences please go to www.tharpfuneralhome.com.
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