H. Cecil Wagner, a man deeply loved and honored, went peacefully to his Lord at home in Lincoln, MA on July 3, 2017, with overflowing love from his family and friends. He lived to celebrate his sixtieth wedding anniversary with his college sweetheart and cherished wife, Anita McClure Wagner. His life was one of doing for others, of blessing, great enjoyment, and love with his beloved family, which includes their son, David Wagner, his wife Elizabeth Wagner, and granddaughter Ella Wagner of Atlanta, GA; their daughter, Kathy Wagner Miller, her husband Howard Miller, grandson Jack Miller and granddaughter Grace Miller, all of Concord, MA; his brother Jerry Wagner and his wife Janet Wagner; his sister Rhoda Wagner Triplett and her husband John Triplett; his predeceased brother Frank Wagner and his wife Marsha Reynolds Wagner; and several aunts, nephews, nieces, cousins, and many dear friends.
He was born on December 16, 1933, to the late Homer Cecil Wagner and Mabel Carpenter Wagner in Rainelle, WV. Shortly after, the family moved to St. Marys, WV where he graduated from St. Marys High School. Upon graduation from Marshall University in Huntington, WV, where he had been placed into leadership roles, he and Anita married and moved to Michigan, where he worked for five years in sales in the WV coal industry. In 1961, he joined Johnson & Johnson, having a distinguished career in the Hospital and Patient Care Divisions for forty years. He loved his company. He embodied its credo. He loved the people with whom he worked. It was an enormous happiness of his life, and he continued to enjoy the annual reunions of the Sons of the General. It must be said he also took huge pleasure in each place he lived and felt so very thankful for his life.
Cecil was always active in their local church. His faith and love for the Lord and His service were of major importance to him. Cecil was devoted to his family, and his greatest joy was being together with them and sharing life with each other, their loved ones, and all those brought his way. Traveling, cooking, gardening, and at-home hospitality were a big part of his life. Being "Poppi" to their three grandchildren was the icing on the cake. Cecil was a humble, gentle man known for his warmth, smile, quick wit, wisdom, and joy of life. He will live on always in the lives of his loved ones.
His family wishes to express enormous appreciation to the wonderful relatives, friends, and caregivers for the love, support, and help given, with specific mention of The Commons in Lincoln and Care Group Parmenter Home Care and Hospice of Wayland, all of whose help was invaluable. Even with his prolonged illness with Parkinson's disease, his life remained full of goodness and gratitude. We, who will love him forever, look forward to being together again in the Joy and Glory of our Lord.
Family and friends will gather and celebrate his life on Saturday, August 19th at 3 pm in the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, Concord Center. A reception will follow at the church. Cecil was buried during a private ceremony on July 8, 2017, at Lincoln Cemetery.
Memorial donations in his name may be made to Truth for Life, 7100 Pettibone Road, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023 or to Care Group Parmenter Home Care and Hospice, 266 Cochituate Road, Wayland, MA 01778.
Arrangements are under the care of the Dee Funeral Home of Concord.