John E Hegarty

John E. Hegarty 91, died November 5, 2016, at his home in Tampa surrounded by loved ones and is now safely home in heaven with his dear wife, Ann. He lived a full life. Born in Reading, Mass., he was one of three children of Anna T. (Flanagan) Hegarty and Michael Joseph Hegarty, an Irish immigrant. His was a classic story of a second generation Irish-American fulfilling the hopes and dreams of his immigrant father. As a young man, John enlisted in the Navy and served his country with honor during World War II. After the War, he earned a degree from Boston College and then joined the FBI as a special agent. He worked in the New York office and moved his family to Ridgefield, N.J. until he was offered a position with the FBI in Tampa where he supervised special agents. He and Ann moved their six children to Tampa in 1968. He retired from the FBI in 1979 and became the Chief of Police at Tampa International Airport, a position he held for 12 years. In his well-deserved retirement, he played golf, enjoyed his grandchildren, and held several positions of authority at the Church of the Incarnation in Town n’ Country. He and Ann traveled, and on more than one occasion he returned to Skibbereen, Ireland, where his father was born. He lost Ann far too soon in 1999, and continued to sing “When Your Old Wedding Ring was New” in her honor for many years to come. He was devoted fan of Boston sports teams – the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, and his alma mater, Boston College. He had an irrepressible sense of humor, was always quick with a quip, and had a fondness for songs that tugged at the heart, such as “Danny Boy.” The Hegarty family would like to thank the people of Horizon Bay at Hyde Park for providing a safe and caring community where John thrived in his final years. John was predeceased by his wife, Ann, and his sister, Sister Loretto M. Hegarty, a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph. Survivors include his brother Robert; his children, Michael (Susan), John, Stephen (Jaye), Susan Arnold (Bruce), Maureen, and Robert; his grandchildren, Eric, Patrick, Kelly, Ryan, and Evan; and six great grandchildren. A Visitation will be held on Monday, November 14th from 2-3pm at Christ the King Catholic Church with a Funeral Mass to follow at 3pm. Inurnment will take place at Florida National Cemetery on a later date. Arrangements handled by Blount & Curry Funeral Home, 605 S MacDill Ave. In lieu of flowers, the Hegarty family requests that you send a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Association.