Deacon John C. Hagan

Deacon John C. Hagan (Dr. J.C. Hagan), the son and only child of Madam Anna Taylor and Mr. Felix Atta-Hagan, passed away on January 20, 2026. He died peacefully in Calgary, Alberta, where he had been a resident since 1987. 

His love for community included being actively involved in organizations such as the Calgary Catholic Immigration Society where he served as a Board Member from 1987 to 1994. His service was also fueled by his love for the Catholic Church, and the community of friends and support he fostered during celebrations of mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Church and St. Luke's Parish. He furthered his ministry by being part of the first group of permanent deacons ordained in the Diocese of Calgary by Bishop Henry in 2002.

His passion was also for stories, learning, and teaching. A love first was instilled by his mother, who he always thanked for putting him through school and ensuring that her son would have a formal education. From his days at Saltpond Catholic Elementary School beginning in 1934, to receiving his teaching certification in 1949, his parents instilled both a love for spirituality and knowledge. 

To further his education, he earned his bachelor’s degree at the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi. Being a part of the academic community in Ghana, also led him to form a great bond and life-time friendship with Dr. J.S.K. Owusu — who he met in 1963 at the University of Cape Coast while they were both students. From those days, they remained friends until Dr. J.S.K. Owusu’s own passing. 

After completing his bachelor’s degree, Deacon John C. Hagan discovered not only his love for Canada but another life-long friendship while he pursued his master’s degree. The friendship being with Dr. William Dickson who he met in the summer of 1967 while at the University of British Columbia. Dr. William Dickson — who later became known in the Hagan family, with great affection, as “Uncle Bill,” would later sponsor Deacon John C. Hagan’s son, Kofi (John Christian Bonaventure Hagan). Through sponsorship, Kofi arrived in Calgary and began a new life — and it was Kofi who sponsored the Hagan family to come and live in Canada in 1987. In Deacon John C. Hagan’s own grateful words: “Thanks be to God! And to my son!” 

In 1968, Deacon John C. Hagan was awarded his master’s degree — before journeying once again across the Atlantic Ocean, and obtaining his PhD in African Oral Literature in the land of his ancestors, Ghana. 

Graduating from the University of Ghana, Legon, allowed him to travel and teach at the University of Cape Coast and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, before eventually returning to Canada with his family in 1987. 

His life was sustained by a relationship with God who he deeply believed had helped him to achieve all his life successes. For in his own words: “Therefore, we should seek You first, and have a personal relationship with You; then we can pursue whatever we want, for apart from You we can do nothing”. 

His legacy continues through the lives of his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and beloved wife, Esther Aba Hagan. 

Deacon John C. Hagan gave us faith that endured — in knowledge, in the spirit, and in deep bonds of friendship.

 He has gone ahead of us now. But what he gave remains.

“Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee “ (St Augustine, Confessions, Bk 1).

Vigil Service will take place on Monday February 2, 2026 at Evan J. Strong Funeral Services (North Location) 3625-12th Street NE 
Viewing: 6:00 - 7:00 PM, Vigil Service: 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke's Catholic Church on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 11:00 am. For those unable to attend in person, a recording of the services will be available below.

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