Artist, Sculptor, and Master Goldsmith, Donald L. Hoaglund, Jr., 74, passed away on September 20, 2021 surrounded by his loving family.
Don is predeceased by his parents Donald L. Hoaglund, Sr. and Mary (Goley) Hoaglund Lemieux. He is survived by his wife, Carol Tollefsen-Hoaglund; his three children, Joshua, Willow, and Teale; his sister, Madeline (Hoaglund) Almeida; his six grandchildren, Jakob, Riley, Mia, Max, Evelyn, Mayari; two great grandchildren, Lukas and Aubrie; his aunt, Madeline Mello Bolton; as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.
For Don, his family was the center of his universe and in the journey of life he made many friends along the way. During his youth he lived close to Fort Rodman in the South End of New Bedford. It was there that he grew a love of the ocean, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, and learning from nature. He was curious and inventive by nature and talented in drawing, painting, and carving. His life evolved with a focus on artistic expression which had no boundaries. A major part of his creativity was establishing Pegasus Artisans in New Bedford forty years ago. He was designer and master goldsmith of jewelry as fine art. In his own quiet words, “I was doing Art and some got on me.” Don was an extraordinary artist and craftsman, a Renaissance Man whose legacy will continue long after his passing.
Amongst Don’s many interests, he loved music, playing his guitar and violin and other eclectic instruments including mandolin. Reading and collecting books was also a passion, the proof was in his library.
Don graduated from Bishop Stang High School and UMass Dartmouth, majoring in Fine Arts. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard achieving the rank of Radar Operator Specialist during the Vietnam War. Prior to opening his jewelry business, Pegasus Artisans in New Bedford. he worked as an instructor of jewelry making at the MJSA jewelry Institute in Providence, RI. He also was employed as Master Craftsman for Harvey & Otis Jewelry in Johnston, RI. He was primary artist goldsmith who worked as part of a team that designed the perfume bottle for Elizabeth Taylor’s “White Diamonds.”
A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, October 3rd beginning at 2 pm at the First Unitarian Church, 71 Eighth St., New Bedford. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend. Due to Covid concerns, it is requested that all attendees please wear masks. Our wish is to see you at the service or at another time to share memories. Should you wish to send flowers or donate to the New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center, 38 Bethel St., New Bedford, MA 02740, each choice is an honor to Don’s memory. Arrangements are by the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford. For online condolence book, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
