Hillary “Bumper Wagoner”, father of four, dies at 59.

By Mackenzie Wagoner

Hillary “Bumper” Stephen Wagoner passed away on Friday, July 13th, 2012 in the presence of family at his father’s house in Alexandria Bay, New York, after a two-year battle with cancer. Born on May 24th, 1953 in Alexandria Bay, Mr. Wagoner lived in Theresa, NY, before attending college at SUNY Canton, where he met Mary Lou Navin in 1973; four years later he married her. Mr. Wagoner coached wrestling at Appalachian State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Cary Middle School, a skill that would later benefit his two sons. His interest in athletics translated to an administrative position at the Empire State Games and a gym and fitness equipment store Mr. Wagoner started in the ‘80s called United Sports and Fitness in Albany, NY. He went on to become a Financial Advisor and an independent Real Estate Consultant, the latter of which lead to the opening of Mr. Wagoner’s Whitehall Marina and the Finch and Chubb, located in Whitehall, NY at Lock 12. He loved being on the St. Lawrence River, playing pool, listening to music, and taking his wife and daughters for a spin on the dance floor.

Mr. Wagoner is preceded by his mother, Esther Mary Mance Wagoner and is survived by his wife, Mary, his sons, Jonathan and Matthew, his daughters, Katherine and Mackenzie, his father, Robert Sr., his brothers, Robert Jr., Timothy, Phillip, Rolf, and Kimberly, his sisters, Penelope Wilson, Tolanda Howard, Kathy Gamble, and Wendy Honaker, his four grandchildren Margaret, Mason, Makayla, and Navin, and his many nieces and nephews. They will miss him every day.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8pm at the Costello Funeral Home in Alexandria Bay, NY on Tuesday, July 17th, and services will be held on Wednesday, July 18th at St. Cyril’s Catholic Church in Alexandria Bay, NY, with a luncheon following at the Alexandria Bay Fire Hall. Donations can be made to Hospice of Jefferson County.

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