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OBIT: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes

31 Mar 00 - 01:35 PM (#204629)
Subject: OBIT: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Rick Fielding

Heather and I received the sad new of the passing of Lee Haggerty this morning. Lee, along with Sandy and Caroline Paton put the wonderful Folk-Legacy record company together in the early sixties, and although I know something of his history, perhaps Sandy might be able to better tell his story. No hurry though, as I know the Patons' are feeling the loss of their friend deeply at the moment.

I only had one long chat with Lee during my many visits to Sharon Ct. over the last 7 years, but it was a good one. He talked enthusiastically about how meeting Sandy changed his life. Sandy can do that you know. I speak from experience. On many occasions though, we'd exchange "hellos" as he pulled his funky old car into the Folk-Legacy drive way to start work on the books.

Our condolences to Sandy and Caroline and Lee's family.

Rick and Heather

Lee Haggerty Memorial at bbc's (click)

31 Mar 00 - 01:58 PM (#204642)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: katlaughing

Thank you, Rick, for letting us know. I'd heard he was ill, but didn't know how bad.

Sandy, Caroline and family, please know how sorry we are and that we send our thoughts and prayers to you and Lee's family.

Blessed Be,

Kat and Roger

31 Mar 00 - 02:02 PM (#204647)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: jeffp

So sad to hear the news. My thoughts are with you in the loss of your good friend. The world is a little poorer for his loss.

jeffp

31 Mar 00 - 02:46 PM (#204673)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: KathWestra

Lee, Sandy, and Caroline have been the three "legs" of the tripod that has supported the wonderful enterprise we all know as Folk-Legacy for all these years. Thanks to Lee, we all have access to Sandy's wonderful field recordings of Frank Proffit, Sara Cleveland, and so many others, as well as Sandy and Caroline's own recordings and those of their oldest son David, and artists like Art Thieme, Rick Fielding, Gordon Bok, and Ed Trickett, to name just a few. For 40 years, Sandy, Caroline, and Lee have been a great team -- a family, really. I join them in mourning Lee's passing.

I met Lee in 1971, the summer after I met Sandy and Caroline. He was a shy man who wasn't always comfortable with the bustle of performers and friends tramping through the busy house he shared with the Patons in those years. But he always had a smile, a hug, a glass of wine to share, an opinion on the latest news, and a tale to tell of the exploits of Ulysses (a.k.a. "Useless,")one of his gigantic and much-adored longhaired cats.

I talked with both Sandy and Caroline this morning. They are tentatively planning some sort of memorial for Lee in Connecticut on Mother's Day weekend. In the meantime, I'm sure they'd like to hear from friends. Kathy

31 Mar 00 - 05:07 PM (#204759)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Lonesome EJ

Sandy and Caroline, my condolences to you both on the loss of your friend.

LEJ

31 Mar 00 - 05:21 PM (#204765)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: catspaw49

Folk-Legacy has impacted so many, certainly those of us at Mudcat. We send our condolences to all and some special thoughts to Sandy and Caroline.

Sincerely,

Pat & Karen Patterson

31 Mar 00 - 06:49 PM (#204810)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: bbc

So sorry to hear the news. Our sympathetic thoughts are with you.

love,

bbc & Duane D.

31 Mar 00 - 06:55 PM (#204813)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Banjer

Sandy and Caroline, accept my condolences as well and send best wishes to his family. Ray Eanes...(Banjer)

31 Mar 00 - 08:37 PM (#204838)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Joan

Lee was a kind, gentle man. Quiet, yes, but he'd open up to people he felt at home with. Early on, he was a familiar sight manning the Folk-Legacy record booth with Caroline and Sandy at festivals, and in later years, when his arthritis was hampering him, he still came in to do the books in the Folk-Leg office.

Though he was always surrounded by singers, songs and musical instruments I never heard him sing a note. Maybe if there's a next life, he'll make up for it.

Joan

31 Mar 00 - 10:01 PM (#204862)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson

Sorry to hear it! I haven't seen Lee since 1969 or 1970 or so but remember him very clearly and I am sorry to hear that he is gone. My sympathies to Sandy and Caroline and Lee's family PETE

31 Mar 00 - 10:54 PM (#204877)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Art Thieme

Lee was one of a kind. A wonderful guy who was easy to talk to for me when I was "killing time" at Folk Legacy between gigs. We had some good discussions about his trips to record some of the traditional singers. Dave Thompson, an fine old time banjo player was recorded by Lee for Folk Legacy when Sandy was ill & couldn't get it done. (As Sandy said in his notes to the new 2-CD set Ballads And Songs Of Tradition From The Folk Legacy Collection, "...you should read Cecelia Conway's study of the influence of several Afro-American banjo players, one of whom is Dave Thompson, in her African Banjo Echos In Appalachia.) About 6 months after our talk, I got a cassette tape in the mail from Lee. It was the tapes he'd made of Dave Thompson and it included Dave's version of a song I had recorded for Folk Legacy concerning the assassination of President James A. Garfield.
It was sad to watch Lee going down slow. I'm glad his pain is finished.

My condolences to you all at Folk Legacy.

Art Thieme

01 Apr 00 - 01:24 AM (#204948)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Barbara

Though the man is gone, the gift he has given us remains. His friends, grieving his loss, we hold you in the Light
Blessings,
Barbara

01 Apr 00 - 05:57 AM (#205004)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Big Mick

I shared the sad news with Ed Trickett, Gordon Bok and Ann Mayo Muir last night as we unloaded their equipment from the van. I had waited until we were outside and away from the others. Their expressions were pained to say the least. It clearly affected them, and the immediate question that came from them was to want to know if Sandy and Caroline were alright. Each of them at various times before the performance spoke to me of this man's gentle way and love the music. I did not know Lee Haggerty, but it is said that what you are speaks louder than what you say you are. God be good to this gentle soul.

Big Mick

01 Apr 00 - 10:52 AM (#205082)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Rick Fielding

I only knew Lee as the "quiet guy" who did the books, but Sandy told me that in his youth he drove hell out of some pretty hot sports cars. Love the contradiction...Ferarris and folksingers. Kinda covers all the bases.

Rick

01 Apr 00 - 12:49 PM (#205137)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Sandy Paton

Caroline and I would like to thank all of you for your kind thoughts and treasured messages. I am gathering all of these postings into a booklet to share with Lee's surviving siblings. I want them to realize how deeply his contribution to the folksong world has been appreciated.

Our love to all of you.

Sandy and Caroline Paton

Folk-Legacy Records

folklegacy@snet.net

01 Apr 00 - 01:54 PM (#205165)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Little Neophyte

Thanks Rick for letting us all know about Lee Haggerty's passing and for everyone who has contributed posting to help better understand Lee's contribution. He must have been a very special person whose gentle and kind qualities will be remembered by many.

Sandy, I send my condolences to you, Caroline and Lee's family.

Little Neo

01 Apr 00 - 03:10 PM (#205219)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: GUEST,hollowfox

When I was a college kid, just discovering the folk community, and bumming around the northeast US between college semesters, I stayed once or twice at the Folk-Legacy barn/duplex/studio. Unlike folk festivals, where conversations all tend to be on folk-related subjects, those visits gave opportunities to talk about other things, to discover other aspects of my hosts' lives. I learned about fine wines (Imagine! Owning a vine or two in a vinyard, and having a case of wine from your own vinyard sent to you in the fall. Wow.), problems of owning a beautiful home (algae removal that wouldn't kill the pond), strategies in playing the "dictionary game", and much more. He was the first person I met in the folk community who was vital to that community, but wasn't a performer, coffee house owner, etc. Over time, I found myself ever more often in those vital, invisible jobs, and thanks to him, I already knew that there was joy and satisfaction in a job well done for those of us who don't get our names on the front of the albums, or on the festival posters. Lee probably never thought of himself as a teacher, but he taught by the best, most difficult method; by example, with no way of knowing that he had students. I hope I learned well. The world felt better, just knowing he was in it, even though we hadn't visited in a long time. He was both a gentle man and a gentleman.

01 Apr 00 - 03:14 PM (#205222)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)

You know our thoughts are with you, Sandy and Caroline.
Allison and Lindsay

01 Apr 00 - 03:32 PM (#205231)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: RoyH (Burl)

What's the life of a man any more than a leaf? A man has his seasons, so why should we grieve?

We may grieve because another great soul has departed. But we should be thankful for the gifts he gave during his 'seasons'here. Condolences to his family, and to you Sandy & Caroline

01 Apr 00 - 05:11 PM (#205278)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: GUEST,hollowfox

You know, in a lot of ways the grief isn't because of the dying. Lee doesn't hurt anymore, and I'm glad that his pain has stopped. I grieve because I miss him, and I'll never be able to exchange a hug and have a good visit with him.

01 Apr 00 - 09:09 PM (#205405)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Big Mick

We gather at times like this not because someone has died..............We gather because they have lived.

02 Apr 00 - 05:04 AM (#205537)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: georgeward

So many memories...And Lee could be such a quiet presence that I'm not sure any of them can touch his contribution to the partnership that is Folk-Legacy (which, in turn, is a state of mind - and heart - as much as a recording company...at least as much). I'm not sure any of them can touch his contribution to friendship. So many friendships.

Anyone remember the old ads with Sandy and Lee aboard the old Huntington village firetruck (subscript "These are Vermont record company executives")? Shoot! Ben and Jerry weren"t out of grade school yet, had years to go before they decorated our consciousness with holsteins and our waistlines with ice cream. And Folk-Legacy's perpetrators were exporting Vermont Mystique with every vinyl disc!

When Vaughn and I moved to Vermont in 1964, we sought out the Patons who - in turn - introduced us to Lee...who - in turn - introduced us to single malt Scotch (Glenfiddich).

Good talk, though, affectionate talk about the music and its people was what made Huntington a magical place. No other substances required.

I think it was Caroline who said it (maybe), but they all lived by it: "We don't really collect folk music; we collect friends who sing folk music".

Friends who travelled to a spot no more common on Vermont maps of the time than Doolin was (at the time) on Irish maps, to sing, to talk, to record...Howie Mitchell...Rosalie Sorrels... Lawrence Older...Sarah Cleveland...Grant Rogers...shanghied from festivals to record in Vermont. Frank Proffitt...driven back to North Carolina in Lee's "bathtub" Porsche No room for the fretless banjo Frank brought up. It stayed in Huntington until Sandy sold it to me and sent Frank the money. Still got it. Be harder to part with it now.

How many nights with one or two or three of them in corners of the state I now only dimly picture...no idea where they were... some gig at a sugar-on-snow at an old church with a two story outhouse...a night at a civil-rights rally somewhere when we sat and talked until who-knows-when with a very young Julian Bond...There's lots more. Just takes a while to bring it back. And Lee... rarely in the foreground...always somehow a part of it all, sometimes as if by telepathic connection from his own house, tucked back just a bit further in the hills.

What I hear are not words, but his voice...often querulous and always committed. It saddens me that I'll miss it more than he knew. That I suspect I'm not alone in that. Does the stone cast into still waters know how far the ripples spread ?

02 Apr 00 - 11:49 AM (#205608)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Sandy Paton

Dick Greenhaus has suggested I post this for all of our Mudcat friends. I wrote it for SING OUT!, but you won't see it there for some time. So, here it is:

LEE BAKER HAGGERTY - February 24, 1930 - March 31, 2000

Lee B. Haggerty, co-founder of Folk-Legacy Records, Inc., passed away at the Sharon Hospital, in Sharon, Connecticut, early on the morning of March 31, 2000.

Lee was born in Westport, Connecticut, but his formative years were spent in a rural setting outside of Zachary, Louisiana, on the banks of the Mississippi River. His deep love of traditional music developed from listening to his mother reading aloud to him and to his siblings such ballads as "Sir Patrick Spens" and "Lord Randall." Recordings of Jules Allen singing songs of the west, ordered from Sears and Roebuck, introduced him to America's folk music. Lee was not a singer, insisting that he couldn't "carry a tune," but he knew and loved the words to hundreds of traditional songs and read ballad literature as one might read the romantic poets.

His avid interest in literature continued throughout his academic career at Western Reserve and at Knox College in Illinois. He served in the U. S. Army during the Korean War and was discharged a sergeant. He then worked for a time in New York City before moving to Chicago where he worked at Chicago First National Bank. Receiving a small inheritance enabled him to leave the bank and focus on doing some writing of his own, as well as to enjoy some extensive travel adventures with his old college roommate, Kent MacDougal.

In 1960, he learned from an announcement on WFMT in Chicago that Sandy Paton had added folk music to the spoken-word record department at Krock's and Brentano's bookstore. He soon became its most enthusiastic customer, and he and Sandy became good friends. After Sandy and Caroline Paton moved to Vermont, Lee went to visit them there and heard tapes Sandy had made on a field-collecting trip to North Carolina. It was at his suggestion that they formed Folk-Legacy Records in 1961 and their first recording, "Frank Proffitt, of Reese, North Carolina," was issued early in 1962. Over the thirty-nine years of their association, he and the Patons produced more than 120 recordings of folk and folk-related contemporary music, but it was the traditional field recordings they were able to release that gave him his proudest moments. In recent years, despite increasingly debilitating arthritis, he remained active with the company, continuing his work until his final illness. He was a thoughtful, gentle man who devoted his life to the music he loved. We are all indebted to him.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I'm gathering all of your words into a memorial collection to send to Lee's siblings. I want to tell you how grateful we are for every word that you write. It helps to know that Lee's unselfish contribution to the folkmusic world has been recognized and appreciated.

Sandy

02 Apr 00 - 06:03 PM (#205751)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Ebbie

"We gather at times like this not because someone has died...We gather because they have lived." Thank you for that line, Big Mick. My sympathies to Lee's loved ones.

03 Apr 00 - 11:16 AM (#206045)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: dick greenhaus

Seems to me that something folks could do to honor Lee's memory (a much-deserved honor) is simply to listen to some Folk Legacy recordings. Or even better, buy one.

(from F-L...not Camsco. I have no commercial interests in this whatsoever)

03 Apr 00 - 12:41 PM (#206076)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: GUEST,Nancy King

I was verysorry to hear of Lee's passing. He was always so helpful and friendly, and will be greatly missed. My condolences to Lee's family and to the Folk-Legacy "family". Love to all, Nancy

04 Apr 00 - 02:46 AM (#206393)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: DADGBE

Brother, now the meeting is over, brother we must part. And if I never see you any more I'll love you in my heart. Lee was a kind, gentle soul. I must stop now to dry the keyboard. Love to you all...Sandy, Caroline, David, Robin and families. Ray

11 May 00 - 11:24 PM (#226887)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Sandy Paton

Our memorial gathering for Lee will take place on Sunday, May 14th, at 3 p.m., in the community room of the Congregational Church, on the green in Sharon, Connecticut. Many of Lee's friends will be there to help sing him to his rest. If any of you are nearby, please know that you are welcome to join us. It will be a wonderful musical sharing.

Sandy

12 May 00 - 05:43 AM (#226972)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: bbc

Duane D. & I will be there, as you know, Sandy. Is there anyone staying over who needs housing for the night/weekend? Should we bring food? I'll be calling Caroline today, but wanted to put it here, too.

love,

bbc

12 May 00 - 06:01 AM (#226976)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Dave (the ancient mariner)

My condolences to his friends and family. Yours, Aye. Dave

12 May 00 - 07:21 AM (#226986)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Liam's Brother

Bob, Bonnie and I will see you at 3PM if not a little earlier.

All the best,
Dan

12 May 00 - 08:41 AM (#227010)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson

I won't be there (as I told Sandy and Caroline at NEFFA) but cherish Lee's memory as a wonderful person. I'm sorry he is gone and I will sing a song for him. PETE

12 May 00 - 09:05 AM (#227019)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: kendall

It grieves me deeply that I cant be there. On top of everything else, I dont own a car now!! Come to think of it, I didnt before..

12 May 00 - 12:02 PM (#227113)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Art Thieme

Sing a verse or two for me, Sandy. Would that I were closer...

Art

13 May 00 - 06:56 AM (#227472)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: bbc

refresh

14 May 00 - 07:36 AM (#227815)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: bbc

My 2nd & last refresh

best,

bbc

21 May 00 - 12:43 PM (#231445)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Sandy Paton

I've described part of what was sung and by whom in the thread on "Funeral Songs," so I will point you there, rather than repeat it all here. I couldn't name every singer and was unsure of the titles of some of the songs, but I hope what I've written will give you an idea of the richness of the event. The entire gathering was wonderful and we are very grateful to all of those who came to help us sing a last farewell to Lee. My fondest thanks to you all.

Sandy

21 May 00 - 01:02 PM (#231456)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: kendall

There was no way I could be there in person, but, during your service, I sat here in my living room and sang "Gently down the stream of time" for Lee. (and for me)

21 May 00 - 01:50 PM (#231477)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Jeri

Sandy, I would have been there, and actually found a ride, but I had to work. I'm not sure I ever met Lee Haggerty, but would have come for you and other friends, and because the man did so much...

21 May 00 - 01:55 PM (#231480)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: catspaw49

Thanks again Sandy.......As my PM said, I saw your post and many of us certainly appreciate the post here for others to see. I'm sure the memory of Lee fills your heart.......All my best,

Pat

25 Jul 00 - 08:42 AM (#264183)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Easy Rider

There is an obituary, for Lee Baker Haggerty, in the current issue of "Sing Out". Has anybody read it?

25 Jul 00 - 09:07 AM (#264199)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Mike Regenstreif

It was written by Sandy Paton (Lee's friend and business partner). If you scroll up this thread, you'll find it posted here.

Mike Regenstreif

25 Jul 00 - 10:10 PM (#264708)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Art Thieme

I just was sorting through some slides I took in the Paton's livingroom. Gordon Bok is changing strings and tuning up. Glen Jenks is on the couch picking. There's that great and cozy wood panneling and all the warmth and wonder that has always been a huge part of Sandy and Caroline's Folk Legacy oasis with the Bok carved Green Man logo on the wall. And added to that are the peach center sundown extra blood-red enhanced lighting that light bulbs cause on certain film's emulsion layers when you use outdoor film inside for lack of knowledge or another roll. Then, lurking and listening and partaking without saying much, but always present and a huge part of the whole gestalt----is LEE HAGGERTY sitting there and nodding his approval like a cat with it's motor running -- sublime and content, either from Gordons's singing or just enough brandy that particular evening---but still VERY contented like Laphraoig used to cradle me before I had to quit drinking. Lord, I could almost hear Lee's big laugh and even smell the smoky peat.

These are my thousand words that I needed to use in order that the single photo (or 3) be translated into this all too inadequate verbage.

And the newly retired Jerry Rasmussen and his wife Ruth are due here tomorrow with two of their buddies from their church. Jerry is probably trying to call here, so I best get off this thing and let the call come through. But Lee still lives on in my head and I'm simply amazed how important his being here in my life has meant to me. Much more than I'd even realized.

Art Thieme

25 Jul 00 - 11:56 PM (#264774)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: katlaughing

Wow, Art, that really brings the moment to life. Thanks. Lee's obituary which Sandy wrote is also posted on the home page at Folk Legacy's website. Really a beautiful memorial, Sandy.

What a legacy.

kat

26 Jul 00 - 04:33 PM (#265202)
Subject: RE: Folk-Legacy's Lee Haggerty passes
From: Joe Offer

The Sing Out! obituary is essentially what Sandy posted above. One difference I noted in the magazine's version is at the beginning of the last paragraph:
In 1967, the company moved to Sharon, Connecticut, where Lee shared a remodeled barn/duplex with Caroline and I, as well as the business.
Sandy says the part in italics is not what he wrote. Some editor apparently made an erroneous attempt to "correct" Sandy's writing. I hate it when that happens, especially in obituaries. Our local newspaper had a wonderful article about my mother-in-law after she died - but they spelled her name wrong.
Be assured that when Sandy writes something, the grammar is correct.
-Joe Offer-