Information

Rolf C. Hagen was a pillar in the pet products industry who
touched many with his generosity and compassion.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Rolf C. Hagen, who left us suddenly yet peacefully at his home in Montreal surrounded by his loving wife Marianne and grandson Justin on Saturday, October 22, 2011.

Rolf C. Hagen was born in 1932, the third of 10 children, in a small seaside town in northern Germany.

In 1955, inspired by a simple idea, he came to Canada and sowed the seeds of Rolf C. Hagen Inc., which blossomed to become one of the world’s largest family-owned manufacturers and distributors of pet care products.

He started by acquiring bird seeds from the Canadian prairies and exporting them back to Germany. His small export business eventually flourished and branched out into a solid, well-respected pet supplies business that today spans many continents.

Soon after setting up his business in Montreal, his focus turned to the most significant import of his life: a beautiful young woman named Marianne Koch, whom he met in Hamburg and married in Montreal in 1959.

His brothers Dieter and Horst subsequently joined the company, both of whom brought new energy and innovation to the company, taking it to new heights of success. The trio formed the first generation of an emerging family-based company that would later include Rolf C. Hagen’s three beloved sons, Mark, Tom, and Rolf Jr.

Those who did business with Mr Hagen were often inspired by his simple and ethical approach to commerce, often sealing business deals with his firm handshake and honouring them with his word, which was as good as gold.

Over the years, Mr Hagen was honoured with many awards in the pet products industry. In June 1999, he was inducted into the American Pet Products Association Hall of Fame, the highest honour that can be bestowed upon an individual in the pet industry.

In March 2004, he was given the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Pet Industry Distributors Association in recognition for innovative design of pet products and for his generous support of organizations and individuals dedicated to improving the lives of both pets and people. He is the only individual in his industry to have received both awards.

In 1996, he received The First Cross of the Federal Order of Merit from Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz der 1. Klasse). In 2005, he was awarded The Highest Order of Merit (Grosses Bundesverdienstkreuz am Band) from the President of the Federal Republic of Germany, the highest honour that Germany can bestow upon a civilian.

Despite all his business successes and accolades, Rolf C Hagen remained a humble and selfless man who did not lose touch with many of life’s timeless and enduring values: love, kindness, humility, compassion, and generosity.

Though he soared in business, he was deeply grounded in his love for humanity and pets, giving away much of what he amassed to individuals, schools, churches and charitable organizations in Canada as well as all over the world.

Helen Keller once said that it is better to walk with a friend in the dark than alone in the light. Rolf C. Hagen will be remembered for being a friend to those who walked in the dark.

Rolf C. Hagen leaves behind his beloved wife of 52 years, Marianne, his children Mark (and Caroline), Tom (and Teresa), and Rolf Jr (and Valerie), his grandchildren Sasha, Justin, Katia, Ashley, Brittany, Kaitlin, Matthew, William, and Christian. He is survived by his two brothers Dieter and Horst, his sisters Hannelore, Marga, Anne, and Karin, and predeceased by his brothers Walter, Fritz and Uwe.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Jewish General Hospital Cardiology: Coronary Care Unit or St Paul’s Lutheran Church in St-Laurent.

My deepest condolences to the entire Hagen family on the passing of a great man. What a pleasure it has been to have done business with such an honorable man. His firm handshake will be missed, but never forgotten.

sincere condoléance a la familles

Mes plus sincères condoléances à Mme Hagen, Mark, Tom, Rolf Jr. ainsi que Dieter and Horst Hagen et toutes la famille Hagen. Un grand homme nous quitte ayant accompli son honorable devoir sur terre. Monsieur Hagen MERCI pour tout. Ce fut un honneur de vous avoir rencontré lors des expositions des produits Hagen depuis 1984. Vous êtiez un modèle a suivre dans le monde des affaires vous laissez derrière vous un héritage grandiose. Vous allez nous manquer mais, jamais oublier. Pierre Bolduc

My deepest condolences to the entire Hagen family. Rolf was a great man and I always admired him. I know he will be missed by all of you and wish you G-d's blessing at this difficult time.

My sincerest condolences to the entire Hagen family. Rolf was one of my absolute favorite people that I have had the pleasure to meet in the pet industry and I know he will be greatly missed. I still have all the coin sets he gave me over the years and his one \"special lucky\" Canadian coin that I carry with me everywhere. May you find some comfort and peace in the days to follow as you go through this difficult time. He has left a lifetime of memories behind, with everyone he knew and touched.

Mark, please accept the sincere condolences for the loss of your father from myself and the Eastern Canada Avian Association.

My sincere condolences to the whole Hagen Family but especially to Rolf Jr. whom I had a pleasure to meet personally ca.3 years ago here in Poland. Gregory Seweryn

Rubin & Rotman Associates had the privilege to design the new Hagen head office building in Montreal in 2006. During the project, we worked directly with Rolf Jr., Mark and Tom but on several occasions, had the opportunity to meet with Rolf C. Hagen. It was clear that Rolf C. Hagen was a visionary in business, concerned for the environment and was a dedicated family man. His legacy will be remembered for many generations. Our sincerest condolences to the entire Hagen family.

On behalf of The Montreal Aquarium Society and its members please accept our sympathy. He will be remembered as a long time supporter of our tropical fish club.

Liebe Marianne Dir und Deiner Familie unser herliches Beileid

Liebe Marianne, Dir und Deiner Familie unser herzliches Beileid

To The Hagen Family: So sorry for your loss~ Christopher Bell Montreal

Our deepest sympathies go out to the Hagen family at this sad time. Mr. Hagen was indeed a true gentleman and a great man. May the family be comforted in knowing that he will now eternally rest in peace. The Bramos Family ( John, Carol, Alex, Nicholas, & Christina)

I'm so sad I am thinking and praying for all of you

I had the honor of meeting Rolf in my early days of the pet industry. I have always reflected on that meeting with a smile. I am very sad to hear of his passing.

very sorry to learn of Rolf's passing. Enjoyed our talk in the past and would loved to have gotten to know him better. My condolonces to the family. The world has lost a great man. Jerry Draper, The Tropical Fish Room.

liebe familie hagen, verbunden mit dankbarkeit für viele positive skatereignisse mein herzliches beileid zum heimgang von rolf. ari burgers

Wir übermitteln Marianne und der ganzen Familie Hagen unser aufrichtiges Beileid zum Heimgang von Rolf. Möge der Herr Euch in Eurem Schmerz beistehen. Bernd, Sabrina und Simone Weidemann

Eight years ago on perhaps one of the saddest days of my life at the passing of my wife, Brenda. Rolf attended the funeral, but not just as a bystander. The grace, caring and generosity that he showed toward my family at the funeral, I could never put into words or do it justice. This is how he will always be remembered by my family. May grace and love be abundant for the Hagen family during this time of mourning. Thoughtfully, Derrick Walker

Ma conjointe et moi-même tenons à vous témoigner nos sympathies dans l'épreuve qui touche votre famille. Veuillez accepter nos sincères condoléances. Gilles Beauchamp (ex-secrétaire de l'A.É.O.M.) et Gabrielle Sills (membre de l'A.É.O.M.)

It is with sadness that Linda and I mourn the loss of R.C. Hagen. He was not only a visionary in the industry but above all a great humanitarian and family man whose legacy will carry on. Our sincere condoleances to the entire Hagen family.

On behalf of the World Parrot Trust I offer our sincere condolences to the Hagen family on their loss. We greatly appreciate the contributions of the Rolf C. Hagen Company to further parrot conservation and welfare initiatives around the world. He will be greatly missed.

It is with profound sadness that we learn of the passing of our leader Mr Rolf C.Hagen, for whom we had,and will always have,a huge and most profound respect. With him we learnt the significance of overcoming barriers that arise between people and their relationships, be they of a proffesional or personal nature. In solidarity with his family, we leave our most profound repect and express our deapest condolences, for your enormous loss. JM.Cores,R.Cores,J.Cores & Tropizoo family

We will rememkber Rolf for his kindness and sense of homour on many occasions in various places. It is a privelege to have known such a genuinly kind and generous person. Our thoughts are with you all in spirit and in friendship during you difficult times. Bob and Renate

Please accept my deepest sympathies. While I only met him briefly on two seperate occassions he left a profound impression on me of a very sincere and caring man. My prayers are with you. John

My most sincere condolences to the Hagen family for the loss of such a great man. My father Apostolis Mourelatos ( passed away August 2009 ) was employed full time at Rolf C.Hagen Co. for many years and always spoke highly of Mr. Rolf, whom he respected tremendously. My prayers are with the family. Eva Mourelatos

We would like to offer you our deepest and most sincere sympathies. M. Hagen was a father to his family, a father to his employees and a father to his customers. Please know that your family are in our prayers and thoughts in these difficult times. André, Micheline, Simon et Annick Rodrigue

Our most sincere codolences to the Hagen family for the loss of such a great man Knowing him was an honour and a privileges May he be rememberfor many years La Famille Alain Allen

Permettez-moi de vous apporter toute mon amitié dans ces difficiles moments, et de vous offrir mes plus sincères condoléances.

My condolences to family and close friends. You will be greatly missed.

My condolences to family and friends. You will be greatly missed indeed.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the family of an icon of the Canadian pet industry. He will be missed by all.

Liebe Frau Hagen, Zum Heimgang Ihres Mannes moechten wir Ihnen und Ihrer Familie unser herzlichstes Beileid aussprechen. Irma und Hans Pahl

With a very sad heart, I would like to express my sincere condolensces. I was blessed to have worked for Mr.Hagen senior at the awuatics plant in St Laurent.(Which is no longer in operation) Mr. Hagen was the is the nicest man I had ever known and his greeting every individual at the christmas party was a memory I will cherish for ever. He will be missed.