Joseph E. Hagan, age 77, died Tuesday, September 16, 2014, at the Excel Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation in Lexington after a long illness. He was the former husband of Barbara A. (Hosmer) Hagan. Born in Boston, August 29, 1937, he was the son of the late Robert and Margaret (Hickey) Hagan. He served in the Army National Guard during the Korean War. A graduate of Boston College High School, Joseph continued his education at Boston College and New York University where he received a Doctorate of Education degree. He started his teaching career in the Billerica School System and later joined the Andover Public Schools as a Middle School English teacher, retiring after 24 years. An avid reader, Joe enjoyed politics, traveling, especially to the British Islands, and gardening. Besides his former wife, he is survived by his three sons and daughter-in-law, Sean Hagan and his wife, Jennifer, of Bedford, Cullen Hagan of Lowell, and Devin Hagan of Billerica; his two loving grandchildren, Justin and Benjamin Hagan; his two brothers, Robert Hagan of Burlington and James Hagan of Wilmington; and his sister, Peggy Farrell, of Florida. He was also the brother of the late Thomas Hagan.