LACONIA---Daniel C. “Chuck” Fogarty, 76, devoted husband, father and friend, died peacefully July 12, 2013 after his long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He spent his final hours surrounded by his loving family at the New Hampshire Veterans Home. His energetic spirit and ability to touch the lives of others will be deeply missed.
He leaves his loving wife of 52 years, Natalie (Clay) Fogarty; daughter Katherine Gregoire and husband Rod Gregoire of Chelmsford, MA; son Michael Fogarty and wife Thea Fogarty of Laconia, NH; daughter Maureen “Molly” Joyce and husband Rick Joyce of Gilford, NH; grandchildren Matthew Gregoire, Abbygail Gregoire, Adam Gregoire, Daniel Fogarty, Matthew Fogarty, James Joyce, Charles Joyce and Joshua Joyce; sisters Dana Weber and husband Mark Weber of Palm City, Florida, Peggy Cadaret of Syracuse, NY, Constance Leist and husband Alan Leist of New Hartford, NY; brother, John Fogarty and wife Nancy Fogarty of Ridgewood, NJ. Chuck was pre-deceased by his mother, Margaret (Callanan) Fogarty and father, Daniel M. Fogarty of Syracuse, NY.
Chuck was born in Syracuse, NY on April 6, 1937. He grew up on the playgrounds of Newton, MA where he quickly established his reputation as an athlete and formed enduring friendships. At Newton High School and Governor Dummer Academy he excelled in basketball, baseball and football. He was an All-Scholastic First Team choice in 1955 in baseball. In 2009, Chuck was inducted into the Newton/Newton North High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
Chuck went from Newton to Syracuse University where he played varsity football and baseball. He played in the 1957 Cotton Bowl and 1959 Orange Bowl. Syracuse head coach Ben Schwartzwalder called him “the toughest football player pound for pound that I have ever coached.”
In addition to playing football and baseball, Chuck was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and the Phi Kappa Alpha Senior Men’s Honorary. In his senior year, he was awarded the Pat Miller Football Award for Outstanding Student, Athlete, and Citizen. Chuck was a member of Syracuse University ROTC and was commissioned Brigade Commander in 1958.
Upon graduation from SU in 1959 he joined the US Army Infantry and completed Airborne Ranger School. He served in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division for 5 years. In Vietnam, Chuck was awarded the Bronze Star and was honorably discharged in 1964 with the rank of Captain.
After leaving the military, Chuck returned to football as a coach; first with Manlius Military Academy and then soon after, at Syracuse University where he coached linebackers and defensive backs. In 1973 Chuck was named Head Football Coach and Athletic Director in Mexico, NY. The Mexico Tigers won the Division Championship under his leadership in 1975. At Syracuse and Mexico Chuck was known as a coach who would work hard for his players on and off the field.
He left coaching in 1978 and entered the life insurance business. In 1980, he founded his own agency, Fogarty Associates, Inc. in Laconia, NH. As an agent of New England Life Insurance Company, Chuck earned the prestigious Vanguard Award for career achievements. He earned professional designations of Chartered Life Underwriter and Chartered Financial Consultant from The American College in Bryn Mawr, PA. For years he was a member of Laconia Rotary Club where he was awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship for his service to the community. Chuck was an avid golfer and member of Laconia Country Club for many years. In 2002, motivated by his love of football, Chuck brought together a group of like-minded community members who established a football program in Gilford, NH.
Chuck was a grateful member of Alcoholics Anonymous, and he remained successfully committed to his recovery and the recovery of others for the last 34 years of his life.
Calling hours will be held at the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, on Thursday, July 18, 2013 from 1:30-3:30PM and 6:00-8:00PM using the Carriage House entrance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in St. Andre Bessette Parish, St. Joseph Church, 30 Church Street, Laconia, on Friday July 19, 2013 at 10:00AM.
Burial will follow in Pine Grove Cemetery, Gilford.
For those who wish, the family suggests that memorial donations may be made to the Daniel C. Fogarty Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 7125, Gilford, NH 03247. This scholarship fund will be used for the benefit children of the employees of the NH Veterans Home in Tilton, NH.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.