Jose Lagares

The Most Reverend Jose John Lagares, a native of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico and a long-term resident of Worcester, MA passed away on January 11, 2024, of natural causes at the age of 89. 

A member of the United Brothers in Christ Church since 1953, and his wife since 1957 when they were married, led to his lifelong dedication to his faith and discipline. He and his widow were students and graduates of the Alpha and Omega Bible Institute in Passaic, NJ, where they settled after their marriage in Adjuntas, PR. He was ultimately named and certified as a Pastor and his widow as a missionary. 

Reverend Lagares and his family relocated to Utica, NY where they had relatives. While there they started several churches. 

When they relocated to Worcester, MA they opened a new church that became the home for many parishioners. He headed that church up to his retirement from the institution as Pastor, but he continued to belong to several churches in the area and was often invited to preach as a guest Pastor by many churches. He also led missionary trips to several major cities in Colombia along with two other pastors that attended his theology institute. 

While a pastor of several congregations, he never accepted salaries for his work in the church. Rather, he worked a full time job during his entire adult life to support his wife and their 5 children. He always felt that he could not accept money from his flock, many of whom were poor, low-income earners, and the sick. The tithes from his parishioners were used to support the church expenses and its maintenance, and a van that was used to transport some of his church members to and from their homes and the church. The couple raised funds to help those in need and often raised funds and food drives for those in dire need of food and other assistance. 

During his tenure as a pastor, he worked regular jobs as a laborer in companies such as Bright Star Industries in Clifton, NJ, The State of New York’s Central Psychiatric Center in Marcy, NY for over 20 years, where he was awarded Employee of the Year personally by Governor Mario Cuomo. 

When the family relocated to Worcester he worked at Assumption University for over 20 years until his retirement in 2019. 

He is survived by his wife Alicia, whom he married in 1957. Among his other survivors are 4 sons, 1 grandchild and 3 great grandchildren. All but one of his children, are residents of the Worcester area. 

Reverend Lagares' life will be celebrated on Wednesday January 15th, with a calling hour from 10 am to 11 am followed by a Funeral Service at 11 am, at Kelly Cremation & Funeral Care, 154 Lincoln Street, Worcester. Burial will follow at Hope Cemetery, 119 Webster Street, Worcester.