Obituary of Thomas J. Hage

Thomas J. Hage 82, of Country Ridge Drive, passed away Wednesday morning at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Amsterdam on August 5, 1925, the son of the late Joseph and Adele Hage. He attended St. Mary's Institute and in March of 1944, he entered the US Army Big Red 1. He began his service in Normandy and went all the way to Bonn, Germany where he was wounded by enemy machine gun bullets, hitting both thighs. He was the recipient of the European African Eastern Campaign Combat Ribbons with Service Star, the Combat Infantry Badge, The Purple Heart, Bronze Star and American Service Medal as well as the World War II Victory and Good Conduct Medals. After receiving a medical discharge in August of 1945, he worked for Bigelow Sanford. He later began a twenty five year career with the Samuel Stratton Veteran's Medical Center retiring in 1978. In 2005, Thomas was presented with his high school diploma under the "Operation Recognition" a program that allowed the awarding of diplomas to veterans of World War II. This was a surprise and he was presented his diploma by his grandson, Edward Cotugno, Class President. Tom was a member of the Military Order Of The Purple Heart, the DAV and St. Michael's Seniors where he served as treasurer. He was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church. In addition to his parents, an infant daughter Mary, and brothers, Cecil, Edward and Paul Hage predeceased him. He is survived by his beloved wife of fifty five years, Dolores DiGiacomo Hage; two daughters and their husbands; Adele and Joseph McDermott living in Stuttgart Germany, and RoseMary and Edward Cotugno of Amsterdam; four grandchildren; Allison McDermott Lopez and husband James of Germany, Kristen McDermott of N.Y.C., Rachel and Edward Cotugno of Amsterdam; five great grandchildren; Brian , Ethan and Kyle Lopez, Thomasina Billington and Jaeden Cotugno; his brother, Albert and his wife Mary Hage of Amsterdam and nieces and nephews and cousins. Services are Saturday at 8:15 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by the Mass Of Christian Burial at 9:15 am at St. Mary's Church. Interment will follow with full military honors in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ft. Johnson. Calling hours are Friday from 3-7 pm at the funeral home where the St. Michael's Seniors will meet at 5pm. Contributions may be made to the Community Hospice Of Amsterdam or the Montgomery Co. SPCA both in care of the funeral home office.