Dennis Hagerty is Novato's Citizen of the Year
Insurance agent, Rotarian, festival music coordinator, musician, volunteer for countless projects and programs — the list goes on.
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Unlike the 2010 Novato Citizen of the Year, silent-type Mike Read, the newest honoree is totally at ease in front of large groups and live microphones. Yet Dennis Hagerty is still a humble servant — something that duly impressed the city’s Citizen of the Year committee.
Hagerty was introduced as the 2011 Novato Citizen of the Year on Friday night at the Paint the Town Red gala event, an annual celebration of the city’s birthday. (There are 52 candles on the cake this time). The event featured local food and drink, music by ace jazz vocalist Noah Griffin and the introductions of the Chamber of Commerce's Businesses of the Year. Circle Bank (large business), Hennessy Funds (small business) and Barker Pacific Group (green business) were the awardees.
Hagerty, a State Farm insurance agent and a Novato resident since 1981, was surprised to see his son, Kyle, an agronomist working in Colorado, in the crowd Friday night along with 13 other close friends. Hagerty’s wife, Gilda, said she wanted to make it a special night for her husband.
“He will be surprised and honored,” Gilda Hagerty said Friday afternoon. “He will be accompanied on the list (of past Citizens of the Year) with absolutely fantastic people, and I think he will really appreciate that. He has looked up to a lot of those people.”
Hagerty, a San Marin resident, is an announcer at the annual Novato Fourth of July Parade and San Marin Improvement Association holiday events, the music director for the Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music and holds a number of positions with the Rotary Club of Novato, for which he is a past president and executive board member.
The programs for which he has volunteered is a long list, including Project Amigo, Rotary Group Study Exchange, Toys for Tots, Boy Scouts (including as a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster), Rock’n Blues by the Lake and the Novato Theater renovation project. He has played in several local bands as a guitar player and drummer.
“He truly exemplifies service above self,” said Rob Sundberg, a bandmate and friend. “He puts in tons of hours for the art & wine festival every year. I know being a volunteer is something he really prides himself in.
“If we were truly painting the town red, Dennis is the guy we’d call because he would be first with a bucket of paint and a brush and gathering other people willing to help. He doesn’t just talk. He gets things done. A more deserving choice (for Citizen of the Year) could not be made.”
Raised in Hacienda Heights, Hagerty has been married to Gilda since 1979 and a State Farm agent since January 1982. He loves telling the story of the first day he opened for business in Novato — and getting flooded out of his office because of the Storm of ’82. He since moved that Front Street office to his current headquarters at Sherman and Grant avenues. He won State Farm’s Crystal Excellence award in 2010.
Dietrich Stroeh, who heads the committee that picks the honoree, said Hagerty’s body of work — mostly as a volunteer — was overwhelming enough to earn the award over 10 other nominees this year.
“The thread that links all these people is that they do a lot of different things for our community,” Stroeh said, “but Dennis always goes one step further, goes the extra mile. We all can attend meetings and say we want to help, but does everyone actually do something that makes a big difference? He does. He’s a doer.”
For Marinscope Newspapers' feature on Dennis, click here.
Brad
10:19 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Nice going Dennis!
Jan S
11:05 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Congratulations Dennis!!
Toni Shroyer
11:11 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Dennis you are fantastic! Well deserved! Thank you for all you have done for our community (and Gilda).
Big Hugs!
PS: I want to ride your mule!
Steve Ussery
11:17 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Dennis, thank you for everything you do for our town. Congratulations!!
FINNEGAN'S MARIN
1:26 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
There is not a single event downtown where Dennis is not present. There is no one more deserving of this award. Thank you Dennis for all of your hard work. People like you make Novato special.
FINNEGAN'S MARIN
1:27 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Dennis.. John Williams is upset you stole his beer!
Christine Koenig
3:26 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Congratulations, Dennis! thank you for your enthusiasm and service to our city, county and world at large!
Edie Ainsworth
7:59 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Congratulations, Dennis! So well deserved...many thanks for all you do.
Jim Poulos
8:33 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Way to go, Dennis! You're the best!!
BH
8:44 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Great guy, good choice. Congratulations Dennis.
Sylvia Barry
9:00 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Congratulations! Dennis! Thank you for all you do and have done for the community and the city throughout the years, all with a big smile!
This award could not have gone to a more deserving person!
Kelly Poulos
9:21 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
BRAVO! Well deserved! Kelly & Jim
joyceapplen
9:24 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Thanks for your many contributions Dennis.
Craig Belfor
9:24 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
I thought it would go to someone I see in the Patch all the time, but after hearing of your contributions I realize that some people blog, and some people do.
My Way Or The Highway !!!
9:39 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Straight out of the Chamber and you people all thank them . How about a regular person who has done some good in Novato ? Someone not in the mix of things
Ray Shanahan
4:13 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
If I had to think of one person in Novato that gives at every occasion it would be Dennis Hagerty. Congrats Dennis......
And Bud, whatever your name is, you unfortunately need to get away from your computer and get involved in the manner Dennis does. He is someone who gives back in every way he can.
Craig Belfor
9:48 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Hey Bud-
Did you do any of this stuff? I'd say he was well into the mix.
"The programs for which he has volunteered is a long list, including Project Amigo, Rotary Group Study Exchange, Toys for Tots, Boy Scouts (including as a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster), Rock’n Blues by the Lake and the Novato Theater renovation project. He has played in several local bands as a guitar player and drummer."
Shirley Humann Shanahan
10:07 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Plus, he's a valued member of our church's Praise Band. Congratulations, Dennis!!
Bill Sockolov
11:06 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Congratulations, Dennis!! Thank you for all you do for our community. Quite inspiring...
Susan Wernick
12:47 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Hey, Bud Light - don't make a comment if you don't know the individual. Dennis comes straight from the heart. His civic contributions in Novato and beyond are countless. His energy and can do attitude is an example for all. Congratulations Dennis - you're the best!
Robert Sundberg
4:22 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Another inspired choice for Novato's Citizen of the Year; well done...Congratulations, Denito Grande!
Jeff Mertel
5:07 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Can't believe it took this long to recognize Dennis. He is a special man who helps make Novato a special place to live!!! Congratulations...Jeff and Kim
Michael Prichard
5:57 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
Perfect Choice ! Dennis is the real Deal. Congrats Mr. Hagerty!!
Diane Spilman
7:40 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2012
No surprise ~So deserving! Thanks for all you do to support this community. And congratulations to the SwedeHeart, Gilda. You know what they say, behind every good man . . . Jim & Diane
Elizabeth Liz Vargas
11:25 am on Sunday, January 22, 2012
Happy Birthday and Congratulations Dennis Hagerty ! Guitarist extraordinaire and best all around Novato. Old Town Photos favorite customer! I still have your stickies LOL!
Liz
Dawn Stranne
8:09 am on Monday, January 23, 2012
Dennis has been our unofficial "Novato Citizen of the Year" for many, many years...it's good to see him recognized by the whole town. His positive and inspiring energy, willingness to jump in and lend a hand, and ability to raise $$ for a good cause are all appreciated, but most of all, our entire family is grateful for his wonderful friendship, love of music and wacky sense of humor. Congrats Dennis and kudos to the "wind beneath your wings," Gilda!
Gloria Violin
3:47 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Congratulations, Dennis, for this most deserved award. So happy you are recognized for all you do. Proud to know you, Dennis! Gloria Dunn-Violin