Obituary

Clair H. “Hobie” Hagerich, 85, of East Taylor Township passed away Saturday, July 12, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital, Johnstown.  He was born August 13, 1939 (his mother’s birthday) in Johnstown to the late Theodore and Lucy (Good) Hagerich.

Clair attended Conemaugh and Franklin High Schools and was a 7-year member of the           U.S. Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged in January 1965. He was a carpenter, construction worker, and drywall finisher his entire working life. At one point, he ventured out to start his own construction company. Clair was a member of Carpenter’s Local 1419 (currently Local 423) until his retirement in October 1997.

Clair was a master carpenter, avid hunter, and exceptional bowler. In 1996, he volunteered to build the cupola for the Central Park Gazebo with the help of his 13-year-old grandson, Matthew.  The people of Franklin knew Clair as the “Water Man” because of his weeks of delivering fresh water to the borough after the 1977 Flood.

Clair is survived by his wife of 64 years, Delores Jean (Ritchey) Hagerich, who he married June 3, 1961; children, Tammy Stonecypher of Johnstown, and Clair (Joe) Hagerich of The World; grandchildren, Matthew (Jessica) Stonecypher, Joshua (Manon) Stonecypher, Rebekah (Bill) Walter, Jeremy (Carly) Stonecypher, Aaron (Emily Carbaugh) Stonecypher, Sara Linsenman, Elizabeth (Dustin) Wilson, Samantha (Ethan) Steele, and Monica; great-grandchildren, Emma, Lili, Romi, and Jude Stonecypher, Claire and June Stonecypher, Sebastian “Bash” and Gideon Walter, Johanna Stonecypher, Nolan Daniels, and Esme Wilson; siblings Sandra Lint of Texas, and Lynn (Linda) Hagerich of East Taylor; sisters-in-law, Wally Ritchey and Erla Hagerich, brother-in-law, Duane Ritchey; several nieces and nephews, and Shayna.

In addition to his parents, Clair is preceded in death by his parents-in-law, Merle and Dorothy (Griffith) Ritchey; brother, Ken Hagerich; brother-in-law, Ronald Ritchey (who passed away July 8, 2025); sister-in-law, Florence Ritchey; and brother-in-law, Robert Lint.

A special thank you to Emilee Stinson, the respiratory therapist who listened and helped the family understand choices that had to be made; and Kate Instone, the nurse who was with Clair in his final moments when the family was traveling home from a funeral.

At Clair’s request, there will be no viewing or traditional funeral. The family will have a memorial service on September 1, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. (location to be determined).

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Clair to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

Arrangements in care of Hindman Funeral Homes & Crematory, Inc., “Exclusive Provider of Veterans and Family Memorial Care.” Condolences may be made at HindmanFuneralHomes.com