Alfred A. Lagan, 77, died Tuesday, July 23, 2013 of natural causes at his home in Natick, Mass, surrounded by his family. A loving husband to Joan Lagan, father of eight and grandfather of 21, Al Lagan will be remembered by many people who have enjoyed his wisdom, generosity and love throughout the years.
The son of an Irish immigrant who owned a tavern in the Bronx, NY, Al’s career began by cleaning the tavern and saving pennies left on the floor. At the age of 16, his own father’s untimely death meant an early end to childhood years. Al graduated from Iona College in 1956 at the age of 20, and joined the Navy, where he was part of the Explosive Underwater Ordinance Disposal team, or also known as a “frogman.”
Mr. Lagan was married in 1959 to Joan P. Smith, also from the Bronx. His career on Wall Street began shortly afterwards at Banker’s Trust of New York. At the same time, Mr. Lagan earned an MBA at New York University, then moved on to Burnham & Company to work for Chairman Tubby Burnham. In 1968, Mr. Lagan became the Vice President of Investment at the Bowery Savings Bank of New York, where he also managed the bank’s stock portfolio. He moved his family to Boston in 1974 to join Putnam Management Co. as Executive Vice President, where he managed pension assets for many public companies.
In 1985, Mr. Lagan fulfilled a dream of starting his own company, Congress Asset Management in Boston. He orchestrated the company’s growth to a multi-disciplinary investment management company that currently oversees $7 billion in client assets and employs over 50 people, including three of his five sons. He remained Chairman there until his death. In 1997, Mr. Lagan founded Congress Trust, NA, and remained Chairman until 2006 and Vice Chairman until 2009. Subsequently he helped found Congress Wealth Management, and remained director until his passing. He was a member of the Boston Economic Club, the Boston Security Analysts Society and the CFA Institute.
Apart from his career accomplishments, Mr. Lagan will be remembered for his generosity as a philanthropist. A keen advocate of education, Mr. Lagan was one of the founding members of the Nativity-Miguel Schools, a network that serves more than 60 inner city schools that provide education and formation to thousands of children.
He was also a member of the NavyEODA, the past president of the Boston chapter of Legatus, served on the Archdiocese of Boston Finance committee, was a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre, and has assisted many charitable organizations and colleges, both financially and through active service.
In his spare time, Mr. Lagan enjoyed woodworking, gardening and hiking. He was a dedicated man of prayer whose legacy of wisdom, humor and kindness will be cherished.
He will be remembered by his devoted wife Joan P. (Smith) Lagan with whom they shared fifty-four years of marriage and children: Mary O’Riordan & her husband Thomas of Medway, Joseph Lagan & his wife Suzanne of Colorado, Irene Lagan and Howard Chambers of Maryland, Daniel Lagan & his wife Mary Anne of Natick, Jennifer Hardiman of Sherborn, Greg Lagan & his wife Mercedes of Natick, Christopher Lagan and & his wife Becky of Medway, and Matthew Lagan & his wife Katie of Milton. In addition, he is the cherished grandfather of Tom, Julie, Kevin, Maura, Brigid, Colleen, Sarah, Emma, Robert, Maggie, Sean, Brian, Siobhan, Samuel, Isabella, Gabriella, Patrick, Ben, Samantha, Emmet & Mary. Much loved brother of Sister Ann Marie Lagan of NY, Margaret Hughes & her late husband Patrick of NY, Eileen Curran & her husband Frank of New Jersey, Maureen Lagan of New York, June Lagan of Connecticut & her late husband Jack, and the late Robert Lagan. He is also survived by many nieces , nephews and cousins.
Funeral from John Everett & Sons, 4 Park St, at the Natick Common on Saturday, July 27 at 10:00 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held in St. Theresa of Lisieux Church, 35 S. Main St., Sherborn at 11:00 AM. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours are Friday 4:00 – 8:00 PM. Interment at Pine Hill Cemetery, Sherborn, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Al's memory may be made to www.educationandhope.com. For directions or to send the family a condolence, please visit www.everettfuneral.com