Owen Francis Hackett, Jr. of South Dartmouth died peacefully on March 8, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital. He was born in New Bedford on May 12, 1921. He was the son of Margaret Meehan Hackett and Owen F. Hackett.

Owen graduated from Holy Family High School where he met the love of his life, Rose M. Hackett, whom he married in May of 1945.

He proudly served in World War II as a specialized U.S. Navy salvage diver. After training at Pier 88 in New York City, he was assigned tours in Algiers, Naples, and parts of France.

Upon completing his military service, Owen pursued his love of architecture at Kansas State University. Rose and Owen maintained a deep affection for their years spent in Manhattan, Kansas. Upon graduation Owen and Rose relocated to Providence, where he enthusiastically began his architectural career. While in Providence, Owen and Rose welcomed with much joy, their only child, Maureen. They were a tightly-bonded, close-knit family, who shared many happy wonderful moments.

Owen soon returned to the New Bedford area where he opened his own professional practice, pursuing his passion and dream for creativity and aesthetic beauty through architecture.

Throughout his fifty plus year career, he and his team designed many outstanding landmarks in the South Coast area, such as New Bedford High School, New Bedford Vocational High School, libraries, banks, churches, and a myriad of other public and private projects including the renovation to the Buttonwood Park Zoo, recognized as “one of the finest small zoos in the United States.” He reluctantly “retired” at age 88, a closure process which Rose laughingly referred to as the longest on record.

Owen and Rose became life long residents of South Dartmouth. They were committed long time members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Also, they were avid golfers and members of the Country Club of New Bedford. Owen enjoyed many close friendships and fond memories over his fifty year tenure at the club.

Since the 1970’s, Owen and Rose frequented West Palm Beach in Florida, enjoying golf, socializing, and most importantly, sharing love and affection with their beloved Maureen and deeply cherished grandson Joey, who resides there.

More than the physical structures bear witness to his memory. He built relationships and left a legacy of love, respect, gentleness, and integrity. His greatest achievement was as a devoted and loving husband of seventy one years to Rose, adoring father to Maureen, and doting grandfather to Joey. He was a consummate gentleman, with a keen sense of humor as evidenced by his engaging full-bodied laugh. Owen exemplifies a life well lived.

Owen was predeceased by his wife Rose in October 2016. His sister Dorothy Schneider and brother Leonard Hackett also died this past year. He is survived by Maureen and grandson, Joseph L. Ackerman III, along with his nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be Friday, March 17, 4-6 p.m. at the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals at 495 Park Street, New Bedford. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, March 18, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in South Dartmouth Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to International Rescue Committee. Money can be donated either online or via check to P.O. Box 6068, Albert Lea, MN 56007-9847. This organization is addressing the current humanitarian famine crisis.

For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.