BROWNFIELD- Arthur E. Hager, 67, of Brownfield, Maine, passed away on 3/12/24 at home with his wife by his side. He was born on August 27, 1957, in Carthage, Illinois, the youngest of nine children of the late James J. Hager and Opal M. (Garrett) Hager.
He is survived by his beloved wife of fifteen years, Marie; his sons Jason (Edith) of Houston, Texas; Dustin (Ashley) of Monmouth, Illinois; Freddie (Taylor) of Little York, Illinois; his daughter Anna Hammond (Tyler) of Odessa, Missouri; sisters Kate, Laura, Nina, Barbara, Cindy, and Marketa; and ten grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Eddie (Diane); Joe (Vicky) and Doodle Dog.
Arthur, my husband, was an enlightened soul who passed away with grace, acceptance and a touching belief in God and Native American Spirituality. He shared with me and a few others that he always had a hard time saying the words, “I love you”. But since the beginning of his illness, a year ago, he learned more about what is important in life and said “love is the most important thing and I’m not afraid to speak those words anymore.”
When we retired we enjoyed working on our home, walking in the woods with our dogs, kayaking as we explored the lakes and taking in the beauty of New England. He loved nature and animals and was very content spending his last days lying on a hospital bed in the sunroom of our home overlooking the woods and the many animals that visited our yard.
He was strong and clear in expressing his wishes for when his time came. He wanted to be with me holding his hand, listening to quiet music with a lit candle and hoping to see deer before he passed.
Earlier in the day, 3/12/2024, after a Reiki treatment he was told that deer would come to escort him on his journey. He responded, “Oh, and I want to be reunited with my dog (Doodle).’
When his time came we were looking out the windows holding hands and watching a beautiful sunset on the mountain with a lit candle and soft Native American music playing in the background. And then a miracle happened - out of the woods came two deer looking over at us and then a third deer came from the neighbors and right up to the window with the first two deers then following, all three looking in the window where we were. Arthur went to sleep wrapped in love. He was beloved by many and grateful to all. He loved his family and left personal messages for each one. So many unexplained and unplanned pieces appeared making the end to his journey a beautiful transition, so thankful.
We would like to thank all the family and friends who made his “Goodbye Gathering” in September - a wonderful day for Arthur - so many stories, laughs, hugs, and tears....and thank you the girls at the AmericInn in Monmouth, Illinois who made our stay there so exceptional and in their ongoing care and support throughout this journey. You went above and beyond to make life easier for Arthur and made us feel like family. Thanks to his sister Barbara who cared for him in her home recently for a month so he could see his family one last time. And we can’t forget the caring and helpful staff, especially Tammy B. RN, of Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice of Maine.
He requested to be cremated and his remains will be scattered along with his dog Doodle and my puppy Sophie at his son Dustin’s home under a tree they picked out together.
A celebration of life will be planned for a later date in Maine and at the families discretion in Illinois.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com