Submitted by: Dan Rich

Rev. G. Carl Hager CSC

Oct. 15, 1911 - April 9, 2002

South Bend Tribune 4/13/2002

Fr. George Carl Hager, CSC, died on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 at Holy Cross House, Notre Dame, Indiana, after a long illness. He was 90 years old. Fr. Hager was born in Plymouth, Indiana, on October 15, 1911 to Frank and Catherine (Rafferty) Hager. The family later moved to South Bend where Fr. Hager attended St. Joseph Parish grade school graduating in 1926.

In August of that year he entered Holy Cross Seminary at Notre Dame and graduated from High school in June 1930. Fr. Hager then entered the Novitiate at Notre Dame and professed vows on July 2, 1931. For the next four years he studied at the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1935.

After doing his theological studies at Holy Cross College in Washington, D.C., Fr. Hager was ordained a priest at Sacred Heart Church, Notre Dame on June 24, 1939. He was then assigned to Moreau Seminary where he directed the choir and earned a master's degree in English from the University in 1941. He directed the Moreau Seminary Choir which performed in the Hollywood movie, Knute Rockne, All-American, starring Pat O'Brien.

In 1948 Fr. Hager began graduate studies in music, at DePaul University in Chicago, where he earned a second master's degree in 1951. From then until his retirement in 1982 he taught at Notre Dame. He chaired the music department for 16 years, from 1955-1971 and also served as a prefect and residence hall rector. Due to failing health, he moved to Holy Cross House in 1999.

An accomplished musician, Fr. Hager taught himself how to play guitar and became a classical guitarist. He then taught others to play and composed music for that instrument. A former student runs a school for guitar in South Bend. At the University Fr. Hager also taught voice and piano. He was still composing music until a few days before his death.

A wake service will be held for Father G. Carl Hager, CSC in the chapel of Moreau Seminary, Notre Dame, Indiana on Sunday, April 14, 2002, at 7:30 p.m. The funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, on Monday, April 15, 2002, at 3:30 p.m. Burial will follow in the Community Cemetery at Notre Dame. The Kaniewski Funeral Home, South Bend, is in charge of arrangements.