It is with great sadness that the family of Richard E. Hagert of Naples, FL and formerly Scituate, MA, announce his passing following a courageous journey with Alzheimer's.

Rich will be lovingly remembered by his wife Jo, daughters Kim Cummings and her husband John of the Villages, FL and Tracy Sutka and her husband Mike of Wilton, CT and his much beloved grandchildren, Elizabeth and Christopher Sutka.

There will be a funeral Mass at Sacred Heart Church, Georgetown, CT on Monday, January 14, 2019 at 11:00 am. There will be a future military service at the National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.

Richard was born in Baltimore, MD on January 17, 1938. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in January, 1955, being the youngest crew member on the U.S.C.G. Icebreaker, Eastwind, Admiral R. E. Byrd's last polar expedition to the South Pole. He was attached to President Kennedy's Security Patrol in Hyannis, MA, West Palm Beach, FL and John's Island, ME. His last post was as Commanding Officer of the U.S.C.G. Lifeboat Station in Scituate, MA. He loved his crew and remains their beloved Chief to this day.

He enjoyed many hours of volunteering for the Boy Scouts of America, the Sea Scouts and the Scituate Chamber of Commerce, earning him the Citizen of the Year Award in 1974.

After retiring from the U.S. Coast Guard, Richard joined Local 4, Elevator Constructor's Union in Boston, MA. where he retired in 2000. He devoted his later life doing his most important work, dedicating himself to Veterans' causes, particularly as an advocate for disabled and homeless Veterans.

His wife, daughters and grandchildren were everything to him. He was a kind, good- hearted man and he always selflessly took care of others first.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests that donations be made to K9s For Warriors (K9sforwarriors.org). To offer the family online condolences please visit www.boutonfuneralhome.com.

In the tradition of the Coast Guard, "Sir, you stand relieved."