Harvey Harris Kagan

Harvey Harris Kagan, 82, of Redding, CT, died peacefully at home on Saturday, January 11, 2025. He was the loving husband of Judith (Morris) Kagan.

Harvey was born in Brooklyn, NY, on January 3, 1943. His grandparents were Jewish immigrants who left the shtetls of Eastern Europe and came to New York City to make a better life for their families. His father, Elias Kagan, was a psychologist, and his mother Sadye (Fisher) Kagan, was a kindergarten teacher.

Harvey grew up in Elmont, Long Island, and attended Union College in Schenectady, NY, where he played lacrosse, sang in the glee club, and joined the Delta Chi fraternity. In 1963, he and his roommate joined the famous March on Washington, D.C., where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. Harvey graduated in 1964 with a major in chemistry and a minor in philosophy.

Harvey worked in sales in the chemical industry for many years, including more than 20 years at Witco Chemical Corporation. In 1967 he married Judith, whom he called his “wood nymph and love of my life." He and Judy enjoyed going to the opera; traveling to their favorite places, especially Scotland and Martha’s Vineyard; and gardening on their two beautiful acres in Redding. Upon retirement, Harvey devoted himself to his many interests, including raising tropical fish, researching family genealogy, building rock gardens, and supporting Union College hockey.

Harvey was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Leonard Kagan. He is survived by Judy, his wife of 57 years, and their beloved children, Sarah Kagan and her husband, Jason Brenner, and Jacob Kagan; and grandchildren, Leo and Scrap Kagan and Emma and Eli Brenner. In Harvey’s own words: “My greatest accomplishment is being a good Papa to my children and grandchildren—that's my legacy.”

Family and friends will be received on Sunday, January 19, 2025, from 10:30 to 11 am, at Kane Funeral Home, 25 Catoonah St., Ridgefield, CT. This will be followed by a funeral service at 11 am and an interment in Umpawaug Cemetery, Redding. To view the livestream of the funeral service, please use the link here: Livestream Link for Harvey Harris Kagan or use the "video play" button in the service details below the obituary.

Contributions in Harvey’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 16th Fl., New York, NY 10001 - https://alzfdn.org/donate/.

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