2000s

Alexander Dwyer O’Brien Paganelli ’12

A premedical student in his junior year and a mainstay of the lacrosse team, was born on October 27, 1989, in Providence, RI. The son of Paul G. Paganelli ’77, a physician, and Kerry O’Brien, he grew up in Dover, MA, outside of Boston. He attended Dover-Sherborn High School, where he was co-captain of the lacrosse and golf teams. Alex Paganelli, also affectionately known as “Pags,” entered Hamilton following his graduation in 2008. While majoring in chemistry and carrying a rigorous course load, he found time to devote to lacrosse and became a key member of Hamilton’s varsity team.

With a never-say-die attitude and selflessly willing to play any position necessary to ensure the team’s success, Alex Paganelli scored seven goals in the 2010 season to help the Continentals achieve a season’s record of 10-4. With his engaging personality and generosity of spirit, he was highly popular with his teammates and made many friends on College Hill.

Last December, Alex Paganelli had just returned from a semester of study abroad, focusing on marine biology with the School for Field Studies on South Caicos Island in the Caribbean. While there he had enjoyed hunting lionfish around the Turks & Caicos Islands. He was subsequently home again in Dover, where he always delighted in getting together with family and friends.

On December 16, 2010, Alexander Paganelli was tragically involved in an automobile accident near his Dover home. Seriously injured, he was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he died on December 19. In addition to his parents, paternal grandparents, and maternal grandmother, he is survived by three sisters, Lea, Siobhan, and Tess Paganelli, and his surrogate brother, Gaelan O’Brien. A memorial service was held at the Dover Church on December 22 with more than 1,000 people, including virtually all the members of the Hamilton men’s lacrosse team, in attendance. A service of remembrance was also held at the College Chapel on January 31.