Winsted mourns loss of Pat Hague

WINSTED — Laurel City residents are mourning the loss of former Public Works Director Patrick “Pat” Hague this week. Hague, 64, died early Monday morning, Aug. 15, at Mid-State Medical Center in Meriden after a short illness.Mayor Candy Perez said Monday that she was saddened by the news of Hague’s passing. “I knew he had been sick,” she said, adding that she was still surprised to hear Hague had died. “Pat was a valued member of the Public Works Department. He guided that department for 37 years. He had knowledge of the town and the water department that I don’t believe can be replaced.”Perez said she and the entire Board of Selectmen sent their condolences to the Hague family and friends.“Before I was a selectman, I knew Pat from dealing with the Highland Lake Watershed Association, with our annual spring cleanup and working on the sand and water levels,” Perez added. “He was always very good about helping whenever he could. He was always cooperative and tried to do what he could with the limited resources we had.”Public Works employee Dennis Millard said he was also surprised and saddened by the news about Hague. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I’m still beside myself. I didn’t expect it.”Millard did say Hague had had some medical problems since retiring last year, including breaking an ankle at one point. “He had been sick since he retired with different things, on and off,” he said. “It hadn’t been a good retirement for him.”Still, no one thought they would lose Hague so early. “He was an all-around good guy,” Millard said.An Army veteran who served in Korea and during the Vietnam era, Hague worked as a town employee for 37 years, including 20 years as director of public works. He was a member of the VFW and the American Legion, as well as a past member of the Winsted Fire Department, Engine 4.“He was a real good boss,” Millard said. “He was caring, and he was a family man, so if you had family problems or issues, he would talk with you. He just cared about his guys, and if somebody had a problem, he was always there. His door was always open.”He enjoyed fishing and boating, along with spending time with his five grandchildren.He is survived by his wife, Deborah, and three daughters, Tracey, Terry and Kimberly, along with three brothers, two sisters and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services took place Thursday from Maloney Funeral Home to St. Joseph Church, followed by burial with full military honors at St. Joseph’s New Cemetery.Condolences are being accepted online at www.maloneyfuneral.com.

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