JAMES GORMAN HAGAN

Former Senator James Gorman Hagan, 85, of Little Compton died peacefully, surrounded by his family at the Hope Health Hulitar Hospice Center on January 13, 2023. He was the son of the late Joseph Henry Hagan and Claire Gorman Hagan.

Jim grew up in the Oak Hill Platt, Pawtucket and attended Lasalle Academy (Class of ’54). He would later be inducted into the LaSalle Hall of Fame in 2008.

Jim graduated from his beloved Providence College in 1958 where he served as President of his class for four consecutive years. He was a Faithful Friar, serving as the President of the Alumni Association and longtime member of the President’s Council.

He was also a season ticket holder for Friar basketball for over sixty years, converting his family and friends into devoted fans. Go Friars!

After college Jim served as a First Lieutenant in the US Army Intelligence Corps. He then launched his passion for politics.

First as President of the North Smithfield Town Council, then as a five term Rhode Island State Senator. His wife Sheila serving as his de facto campaign manager and consigliere.

For twenty-seven years Jim served as Senior Vice President in the international division of Tupperware Worldwide where he traveled to 32 countries and 45 states. Upon leaving Tupperware he combined his love of business and politics by becoming the President of the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce for nearly twenty years.

In that capacity he also served as the former President of the New England Chamber of Commerce Executives Association and the Vice-Chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.

During that time he worked closely with Buddy Cianci on the ‘Providence Renaissance’ taking great pride in being part of the team that created such Providence staples as Waterfire, the television show ‘Providence’, the RI convention center, and the RI Business Expo.

After retirement he stayed busy becoming the moderator of the ‘Lively Experiment’ on PBS for five years where he interviewed top newsmakers in the state. Jim created and produced the New England Golf Expo with all the proceeds going to the Boys and Girls Club.

With his sparkling blue eyes and Irish wit, Jim made everyone he encountered feel like they were life long friends. He had a fierce passion for golf. He was a member and former Director of the Sakonnet Golf Club, a Member of the Sakonnet Point Club and a longtime member of the University Club

During his career Jim received the US Senator John H Chafee Distinguished Citizen Award as well as the North Smithfield Citizen of the Year Award. He served as a board member of Collete Vacations, Sovereign Bank, the Northern RI Advisory Board of Fleet Bank and a Corporator of the Woonsocket Institution for Savings.

Jim was a true family man and his family cherished him.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sheila as well as his two children Kelly Hagan (husband Richard Lumazza) and James M. Hagan (wife Stephanie)

His only grandchild Mia Hagan Lumazza was the center of his world. She adored her Papa Jim.

He is also survived by his brother Dr. Joseph H. Hagan (wife Patrice) and their son Kevin and his family.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday, January 21,2023, at 11:00 a.m., Saint Catherine of Siena Church, 74 Simmons Road, Little Compton, R.I. A Funeral Reception will immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hagan Scholarship Fund at Providence College (c/o Office of Annual Giving Harkins Hall Room 412, One Cunningham Square, Providence, RI 02918-0001)

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