DR. ANDREW M. TAGER

1959 - 2017

TAGER, Dr. Andrew M. Passed away on August 11 surrounded by family and friends. He was the beloved husband of Carolyn Ho, devoted father of Sam, beloved son-in law of Nancy and Chien Ho, cherished brother and cousin to Michael Tager, David and Lisa Tager, Geoffrey Tager, Edward Blackman and Annette Rockwell, Allen and Clara Beshoar Blackman, Susan and Gary Bank, Amy Kantor, and beloved nephew of Anne Kantor and brother-in-law of Jeanette Ho. He is also survived by many loving nephews and nieces. Born February 25, 1959 in Ann Arbor Michigan, and raised in Tenafly, New Jersey, he attended Brown University (1981) and Harvard Medical School (1988), graduating from both institutions magna cum laude. After oncology and pulmonary fellowships, he held a number of positions, including as Associate Physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Fibrosis Research Center. In 2012, he received the Marvin I. Swartz Research Award in Pulmonary Fibrosis in recognition of leadership in the efforts to find a cure for pulmonary fibrosis and, in 2017, he received the Recognition Award for Scientific Accomplishments from the American Thoracic Society for outstanding scientific contributions in basic or clinical research to the understanding, prevention, and treatment of respiratory disease or critical illness. Aside from his from his professional accomplishments, he is remembered for his loving kindness to others. Whether mentoring the members of his research lab, taking his son Sam on "T adventures" across the MBTA system, or taking care of friends and family members when they had problems, he always extended himself to help others. He resolved the ailments of family and friends when other doctors couldn't do so, even moving family members in with him to ensure they got treated right. Rather than simply respond to someone with a "yes," he often enthusiastically would say "perfect!" or "beautiful!" while making an expressive hand gesture. He had a diverse range of interests including literature, philosophy, public policy, sports, and popular culture. His high spirited son Sam especially filled him with joy in recent years. He bore his illness with incredible bravery and fortitude, interested in the welfare of others, particularly his wife and son, until the end. His loving kindness to others came back to him in the final weeks of his illness from pancreatic cancer, as the many friends and family members from different phases of his life came to visit him and say their goodbyes. He is so deeply missed. The funeral is at Gutterman-Musicant in HACKENSACK, NJ at 402 Park St. on Tuesday, August 15 at 11 am, with burial at Wellwood Cemetery in Pinelawn, NY following. There will be a memorial service in Boston for him at a later date. Donations can be made to the MGH Fibrosis Research Center in his memory.