Person Page - 1176

     Michael Reginald Bagwell was born in September 1939 in England. He was the son of Reginald Bagwell and Ellen (?) Michael Reginald Bagwell married Pamela Berry in 1960. Michael Reginald Bagwell immigrated in 1962 to United States of America. He died on 26 February 2025 in Lawrence & Memorial Hospital, Niantic, Connecticut, at age 85


Michael Bagwell Obituary
Niantic - Michael Reginald Bagwell, 85, of Niantic, a well-known, liked and respected reporter and editor at The Day for 30 years, passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 26, 2025, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. Mr. Bagwell, the son of the late Reginald and Ellen Bagwell, was born in England in 1939, raised and educated in London, where, as a young boy, he survived The Blitz during World War II. He was proud to be accepted as a Boy Entrant to the Royal Air Force at age 16.

He met his wife, Pamela Berry, in 1960, and the couple immigrated separately to the United States in 1962, to start a new life in the land of opportunity. Mike arrived first, followed shortly thereafter by Pamela and the couple's twin babies, all three having crossed the Atlantic aboard the Queen Mary. They settled in Greenfield, Mass., where Mike was hired to his first newspaper job as a reporter with the Greenfield Recorder. There, he was entrusted with a number of important stories, including an interview with then-Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey during his run for president in 1968. He later worked as a reporter for the Springfield (Mass.) Union and, after a two-year program at the University of Massachusetts, was named a New England Newspaper Fellow in 1969, receiving a letter of congratulations from then-Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy.

The Bagwells moved to New London in 1970, when Mike was hired by The Day as a reporter who would cover the newspaper's defense beat. "For several years, Mike Bagwell covered the defense industry," recalled Morgan McGinley, The Day's longtime editorial page editor, whom Mr. Bagwell succeeded several years later as assistant city editor. "During that time, he earned the respect of military officials both locally and nationally." Recognized by his superiors for his solid news judgment, meticulous editing skills and unwavering calm under daily deadline pressure, Mr. Bagwell worked his way up into senior-level positions in The Day newsroom, including assistant city editor, wire editor and news editor. He was appointed assistant Sunday editor and was a lead player in the start of The Day's popular new Sunday edition. He stood out among his colleagues for his steady work ethic, quick wit, dry humor and stately English accent, which he retained throughout his life.

"Mike was one of my all-time favorite colleagues," recalled John Ruddy, The Day's present copy desk chief. "He welcomed me to the copy desk and shared his desk with me because space was at a premium and our schedules were largely opposite each other. His irreverent and bawdy sense of humor always kept the mood light, and while he took his responsibilities as an editor seriously, he knew how to make the job fun." Ruddy recalled that Mr. Bagwell both covered and lived history. As a reporter fairly early in his career at The Day, he covered then-FBI acting Director L. Patrick Gray's testimony during the Watergate scandal in the early 1970s and his involvement with it. As a boy, young Mike and friends would play in the area of 10 Downing Street when Winston Churchill was prime minister, only to be shooed away by security officers. He could be both the instigator and recipient of newsroom practical jokes, once sneaking behind a colleague and loudly popping an air-filled paper bag behind him, and another time scaring Ruddy by placing a large rubber insect on his computer keyboard. Ever the Englishman, Mike reacted with alarm, losing his usually calm demeanor at deadline one morning when a colleague jokingly told him that Queen Elizabeth had abdicated the throne. "Perhaps his most notable characteristic was his vivid sense of humor," McGinley recalled. "He was a funny man to be around."

Mike is survived by his wife of 65 years, Pamela; and their four children: Karl Bagwell and his wife, Eileen; Karen Laskey and her husband, Bill; Phillip Bagwell and his wife, Kathleen; and Celia Kane and her husband, James. He also leaves seven grandchildren: Dayne, Kristin, Lauren, Sage, Nathan, Colleen and Liam: along with five great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law Jacqueline Bagwell and her daughter, Sarah. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his brother, Kenneth Bagwell.

The family has held a private memorial service.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Mar. 9, 2025.

     Pamela Berry married Michael Reginald Bagwell, son of Reginald Bagwell and Ellen (?), in 1960.

     Karl Bagwell is the son of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry. Karl Bagwell married Eileen (?) after 1980.

     Eileen (?) married Karl Bagwell, son of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry, after 1980.

     Karen Bagwell is the daughter of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry. Karen Bagwell married Bill Laskey after 1980.

     Bill Laskey married Karen Bagwell, daughter of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry, after 1980.

     Phillip Bagwell is the son of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry. Phillip Bagwell married Kathleen (?) after 1980.

     Kathleen (?) married Phillip Bagwell, son of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry, after 1980.

     Celia Bagwell is the daughter of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry. Celia Bagwell married James M. Kane after 1980.

     James M. Kane married Celia Bagwell, daughter of Michael Reginald Bagwell and Pamela Berry, after 1980.

     Reginald Bagwell married Ellen (?) before 1939.

     Ellen (?) married Reginald Bagwell before 1939.

     Kenneth Bagwell was the son of Reginald Bagwell and Ellen (?) Kenneth Bagwell died before 2025.

     Juanita Stanley married Earnest David Bagwell, son of Ernest Norris Bagwell and Mary Lou Perry, before 1974.

     Donna Rene Goff married David Eugene Bagwell, son of David Eugene Bagwell Sr and Betty Jane Goodwin, on 21 January 1983 at Union Baptist Church, Columbia, South Carolina.

     David Eugene Bagwell Sr was born on 18 November 1933 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. He was the son of Mahlon Leo Bagwell and Martha Helen Williams. David Eugene Bagwell Sr married Betty Jane Goodwin on 30 August 1958 at Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. David Eugene Bagwell Sr died on 22 September 2017 in Columbia, South Carolina, at age 83.

     Betty Jane Goodwin was born on 10 September 1934. She married David Eugene Bagwell Sr, son of Mahlon Leo Bagwell and Martha Helen Williams, on 30 August 1958 at Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. As of before 1959,her married name was Bagwell. Betty Jane Goodwin died on 15 March 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina, at age 90.

     Susan L. (?) married David Eugene Bagwell, son of David Eugene Bagwell Sr and Betty Jane Goodwin, after 1998.

     Lt. John Bryant Bagwell was born on 17 June 1930 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. He was the son of Mahlon Leo Bagwell and Martha Helen Williams. Lt. John Bryant Bagwell married Betty Lee Summers on 18 October 1952 at Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. Lt. John Bryant Bagwell and Betty Lee Summers were divorced on 27 July 1964 at Wake County, North Carolina. Lt. John Bryant Bagwell died on 26 January 2010 in Goose Creek, Berkeley, South Carolina, at age 79.

     Betty Lee Summers was born on 9 October 1933 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. As of 18 October 1952,her married name was Bagwell. She married Lt. John Bryant Bagwell, son of Mahlon Leo Bagwell and Martha Helen Williams, on 18 October 1952 at Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina. Betty Lee Summers and Lt. John Bryant Bagwell were divorced on 27 July 1964 at Wake County, North Carolina. Betty Lee Summers died on 10 August 2006 at age 72.

     Unknown Bagwell is the son of Lt. John Bryant Bagwell and Betty Lee Summers.

     Judith Ann Bagwell was born on 2 September 1958 in Pell City, St. Clair County, Alabama. She was the daughter of Joe Earl Bagwell and Unkown (?) As of circa 1975,her married name was Bailey. Judith Ann Bagwell married (?) Bailey circa 1975. As of circa 2000,her married name was Young. Judith Ann Bagwell married (?) Young circa 2000. Judith Ann Bagwell died on 10 June 2001 at age 42.

     Curtis Charles Schroeder married Carol Rene Bagwell, daughter of Joe Earl Bagwell and Unkown (?), on 17 March 1984 at Hillsborough County, Florida.

     (?) Bailey married Judith Ann Bagwell, daughter of Joe Earl Bagwell and Unkown (?), circa 1975.

     (?) Young married Judith Ann Bagwell, daughter of Joe Earl Bagwell and Unkown (?), circa 2000.

     Gregory Ray Bagwell is the son of Ricky Ray Bagwell. Gregory Ray Bagwell married Angel Thompson before 1999.

     Angel Thompson married Gregory Ray Bagwell, son of Ricky Ray Bagwell, before 1999.

     Daylon Ray Bagwell was born on 31 July 1999 in Athens, Clarke County, Georgia. He was the son of Gregory Ray Bagwell and Angel Thompson. Daylon Ray Bagwell died on 16 March 2025 in Lavonia, Franklin County, Georgia, at age 25


Daylon Ray Bagwell, age 25, of Lavonia, passed away at his home on Sunday, March 16, 2025.

He was born on July 31, 1999, in Athens, Georgia, the son of Alan & Angel Thompson Harris and Greg Bagwell. Daylon was a graduate of Franklin County High School, class of 2017. He worked at Oak Valley Meat Processing. An avid outdoorsman, Daylon had a deep passion for nature. He cherished the time he spent hunting, fishing, and camping, often sharing these moments with family and friends. He was of the Christian faith.

Daylon is survived by his parents and his twin sister, Destiny Bagwell. He also leaves behind his sister, Haley Harris, and brother, Dustin Bagwell. His memory will be held dear by his grandparents Haskell & Karen Smith, Henry & Cheryl Harris, Tim & Lisa Hill, and Johnny & Becky Thompson. Daylon was a beloved uncle to nieces and nephews, Skylar Harris, Ky’Mir Grove, and Legend Harris. He will be missed by his aunts and uncles, Jeremy & Tammy Thompson, Donna & Gerry Terry, Jeff & Ruby Thompson, John Thompson, Sandra & Donnie Scott, Fed McAlister, and Laverne Thompson, and many great aunts and uncles. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Ricky Bagwell.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at the funeral home chapel. Rev. Ted Capps will officiate the ceremony. Following the service, Daylon will be laid to rest in the Lavonia City – Burgess Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to gather and pay their respects on Saturday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.


He was buried on 22 March 2025 at Lavonia City – Burgess Cemetery, Lavonia, Franklin County, Georgia.

     Destiny Bagwell is the daughter of Gregory Ray Bagwell and Angel Thompson.

     Dustin Bagwell is the son of Gregory Ray Bagwell and Angel Thompson.