Dennis Edward Haggerty of West Chester

Posted by ChaddsFordLive on July 27, 2012

Dennis Edward Haggerty, 65, of West Chester, died on Tuesday, July 24, at the Chester County Hospital in West Chester.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Edward D. Haggerty Jr. and the late Elizabeth Casserly Haggerty. He was the companion of Corrine "Suzie" Pertz of West Chester.

Dennis worked as an art teacher at the West Chester Friends School for 39 years prior to his retirement. He graduated from St. Philomena School in 1961. He was the first to earn the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 333. He graduated from St. Joe's Preparatory school in 1965 and continued his education graduating from West Chester University in 1969. He also attended the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

Dennis was a well-known Chester County artist with a career spanning more than 40 years. He is best known for his colorful abstract landscapes influenced by spending most of his summers since 1972 in his beloved Taos, N.M. He was a resident of West Chester for more than 43 years and was a longtime supporter of Brian's Run.

In addition to his companion, he is survived by his three brothers, Edward Haggerty (Betty), Kevin Haggerty (Alice) and Daniel Haggerty (Dottie). He is also survived by his uncle, Jack Haggerty (Roseann) and several nieces, nephews and hundreds of friends.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 29, at the DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc., 410 N. Church St., West Chester, PA 19380; 610-696-1181, www.DellaFH.com. Relatives and friends are invited to his Funeral Mass at 2 p.m. on Monday, July 30, at St. Agnes Church, 233 W. Gay St. West Chester, PA 19380. Interment will be private.

The family invites Dennis's friends to join them to celebrate his life at the Chester County Art Association at 5 p.m. on Monday, July 30.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Chester County Art Association, 100 N. Bradford Ave., West Chester, PA 19382 and/or Brian's Run, contributions to DUBC Race Company, 208 West Virginia Avenue, West Chester, PA 19380.