W. Gregory Hager, of Burlington CT and formerly of Washington, PA died Saturday, April 25, 2015, in Hartford, CT. Greg was born on February 3, 1946 to the late Wilbert C. and Leah M. (nee Kenzleiter) Hager. He attended West Liberty College where he received his Bachelors degree in Sociology. After graduation he became a social worker in McKeesport, PA where he established a rehabilitation program for stroke victims. He received a Masters Degree from the University of Ohio and began a successful and vibrant teaching career at Northwest Connecticut Community College (NCCC) in Winsted, CT which spanned 35 years. Greg created and taught Sociology and Geography classes, initiated curriculum changes and acted as friend and mentor to students, faculty, and staff. He was one of the early adopters of online education at NCCC and an advocate for online distance learning initiatives. As a full professor, Greg was the chair of many college committees including chair of the Cultural Planning Committee during which he brought notables such as Bernard Sanders, John Kenneth Galbraith, Hugh Kaufman, Howard Zinn, and Myron Kandel to speak at the college. His work as chair and committee member spanned the search, scholarship, promotion and tenure, Center for Teaching, and academic policy committees, and after his retirement Greg continued teaching for many semesters as an adjunct professor. His scholarly contribution, leadership, and participation in college events was greatly appreciated by the college community. In addition to his professorial career, Greg was a longtime union activist, especially in the Congress of Connecticut Community Colleges (4Cs) where he was a member since the mid 1970s until his retirement. He served for decades on the union’s Executive Board as one of its vice presidents, as a member of many of its committees and as one of its prime activists organizing campus chapters around the state, and he marched on many picket lines in support of fellow Connecticut state employees. As a professor at NCCC, Greg was a union chapter chairman and grievance officer, and as a retiree, he was a member of Chapter 418, CSEA. Greg’s integrity, strong personal ethic, an willingness to stand up for what he believed right and just cultivated trust and admiration in all those who knew him. In better health, he was an avid bicyclist, reader, golfer, and wine enthusiast. He is survived by his wife, Gail Cormier, and son, Bryan Cormier Hager, and by his wife's family who loved him dearly. He is also survived by his sister, Pamela Ross, and her husband, Don, brother, Doug Hager, and his wife, Gail, and by his nieces and nephews. Funeral Service will be Friday, (May 1), 11:00 am at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Ave., West Hartford. Calling hour will be prior to the service from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Greg’s memory to Northwestern Connecticut Community College. Make checks payable to NCCC and write “Hager Scholarship Fund” in the memo area of the check. Checks can be mailed to Northwestern CT Community College, c/o Hager Scholarship Fund, attn.: Todd M. Bryda, 2 Park Place East, Winsted, CT 06098. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com.