Hugo Brynolf Wallgren

Hugo B. Wallgren Jr., born February 7, 1950, passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 21, at his home in Newport, RI. Hugo was a Fitchburg boy, born and raised there by parents, the late Martha V. (Roberts) and Hugo B. Wallgren Sr., who owned a watch repair shop on Main Street where Hugo sometimes helped out. He graduated from Fitchburg High School with honors, earned a B.S. from Colby College, and MBA at UMass-Amherst. His career was spent in business, ultimately serving as Chief Financial Officer for a large company. Hugo was a competitive tennis player and remained so throughout his life. He was also trained in Krav Maga. He passed on his love of tennis to his daughter Stephanie, and his competitive spirit to his younger daughter Sonya whose soccer games he never missed. Hugo enjoyed vacationing at York Beach with his family where they would bodysurf during the day and play beach tennis into the late evening. In 2011, he underwent surgery for esophageal cancer and, although he received a poor post-surgery prognosis, his fighting spirit allowed him to survive for seven years. His final four were spent in Newport, where he lived life to the fullest. Hugo is well known among the merchants and church members in Newport. He lived in a carriage house a stones throw from the ocean, and he loved just cruising the streets in his red convertible. He left two lovely daughters, Stephanie and Sonya, and their spouses Mike and Phill, along with two grandchildren. Hugo is also survived by his sister Maria and her husband Richard and their two children. Ex-wife Christine remained his good friend, from their childhood until his death. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Sat., July 7, at EFC Newport at 70 Bliss Mine Road, Middletown, RI.