Mrs. Rita Hagwell chose not to put an obituary in the paper because of harassment of the Hagwell’s and their paid up land and taxes where they lived for 46 years. This was done by some Poulsbo city officials and developers past and present.

Now a tribute to Gilbert Hagwell from his daughter at Tahoma National Cemetery:

Gilbert was the best father a person could have. He was humble and hard working. He was friendly and kind. He was a gentle man who would only fight when he had to stand up for himself or for something or someone he loved, but make no mistake, Gilbert was a survivor. He survived hard winters in Michigan. He survived the Korean War. He survived for three years after a terrible bicycle accident that would have killed most people.

My dad was quietly spiritual, quietly broadminded, quietly passionate. He did not make a big fuss about anything. That was not his style.

Gil could fix anything. He had a brilliant mind for the mechanical and could solve the problem of any broken car, television, radio, engine, and so on. You name it, he could fix it. So it was fitting that his job was to be in electronics at NUWES, Keyport.

He loved fishing. I cannot tell you how many times I woke up at 5 a.m. to fish with my dad. We would sit out there quietly for hours just relaxing and waiting for the fish to bite.

Gilbert loved the Mariners. He rarely missed listening to, or watching, a game. When I was a kid, we would go watch the Mariners in the Kingdome several times each season. Some of my best memories of my dad are watching the Mariners with him.

My dad taught me many things. He taught me to ride a bike. He taught me to play basketball and softball. He taught me to change my oil and fix a flat tire. More importantly, he taught me the importance of self-sufficiency and hard work. He taught me how to mend a mistake. He taught me loyalty and he taught me how to love. And for these lessons I could never begin to repay him.

Marelaine Hagwell, daughter