T. Carter Hagaman, age 82 of Rochester, Michigan passed away November 28, 2020. Loving husband of Susan Hagaman, dear father of Amanda (Gregory) Gallant, Lorrie (Paul) Gunn, Karin Hagaman (Mark Gorman) and Cynthia (the late Marshall) Helms. Cherished grandfather of Tom, Phin, Fox, Emma, Shafer, Meredith, Brynna and Ned.
Carter grew up in Livingston, NJ, became an Eagle Scout, and graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Caldwell, NJ. He was a 1960 graduate (A.B. in Philosophy) from Harvard College (member of Adams House) where he had been the band manager his junior year. He obtained an MBA from University of Chicago in 1964.
After college, until 1989, he worked for Irving Trust, becoming a senior vice president in the corporate finance department. His next employment was as an adjunct professor of finance and economics at Kean University from 1991-2008. During this time, he had served as Chairman of the NY (then later NJ) Council of Economic Education.
Outside of work, he continued his love of music and theater with the Maplewood Glee Club, the Strollers of Maplewood and the Summit Playhouse (acting, singing, and building sets). As an active member of the Harvard Club of New Jersey, he served as President, was on the nominating and executive board committees and headed a section for the interviewing of applicants. On October 25, 2013, at a Harvard Alumni Association meeting in Cambridge, MA, Carter received Harvard’s Hiram S Hunn Memorial Schools and Scholarships Award.
Carter started as an engineering major but switched to philosophy. In Maplewood he continued this interest with the church by singing in the choir and chorale, being a lay reader and volunteering to visit local nursing homes for evening prayer services. In the Harvard and Radcliffe Classes of 1960’s Fiftieth Anniversary Report, he wrote: “And when the end finally comes, all I hope for is found in the Saint Matthew’s Gospel—to hear the words ‘Well done, thou good and faithful servant’”.
At Carter’s request cremation has taken place and no public services will be held. If you would like to support the music program at Calvary Episcopal Church, please send a donation to the church at 31 Woodland Ave. Summit, NJ 07901. Arrangements in the care of the Potere-Modetz Funeral Home, Rochester, Michigan. Online guest book www.modetzfuneralhomes.com.
Mildly edited from obituary published December 23, 2020, in the Essex County, NJ Essex News Daily
