Obituary of James Fagan

Fagan, James T. "Jay" Age 81, passed away Friday, September 21, 2012 at Rush Medical (Horizon Hospice Center) in Chicago. A longtime resident and active community servant of Mokena and New Lenox, he was born April 8, 1931 in Joliet to Nick and Mary Ann (Loebakka) Fagan, he was a graduate of Joliet Catholic High, with an undergraduate at Lewis University and MBA at Governor State University. He started his career at Illinois Bell and retired as an engineer at AT&T. Jay embraced his community and enjoyed serving. He coached Mokena Little League, was a president and teacher of CCD at St. Mary's Church, served on the Lincoln Way High School Board for 35 years, was a member of the Mokena and New Lenox Village Planning Committee, a member of the AT&T Pioneers Club, prepared IRS tax returns for Senior Citizens and most recently awarded the 2009 Silver Cross Sangmeister Medal of Excellence in Appreciation and Recognition for Outstanding Community Service. Jay was an avid golfer and basketball player. As a member of Special Services in the Army, he entertained many soldiers playing basketball and pitched many games of baseball. He thoroughly enjoyed his monthly Monday breakfast with all his old friends from Illinois Bell, playing Euchre on Tuesday night, and working for 26 years at Green Garden Country Club. Jay was fortunate to have just celebrated his 56th anniversary with his beloved wife Rita (Waldvogel) on September 1st. Surviving also are five children; Michael (Janice) of Morris, Timothy (Liling) of Wilmette, Mary Rosendahl of Wilmette, Daniel (Cori) of Plymouth Michigan, and David (Suzanne) of Glen Ellyn; ten grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by one brother Ronald (Joan) of Arkansas and brother-in-laws, Robert (Eleanor) of Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, William (Virginia) of New Lenox and sister-in-laws, Pat of DeKalb and Pat of Quincy. He was preceded in death by his parents Nick and Mary Ann (Loebakka) Fagan, and brothers, William of Quincy and Richard of DeKalb; and two nephews, Robert Waldvogel of Decatur and Nicolas of Joliet. All friends and relatives are invited to meet Tuesday, September 25, 2012 at St. Mary Catholic Church, 19515 S. 115th Ave., Mokena, IL where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Lincoln Way High School Foundation would be appreciated. Visitation Monday 2-8 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For information: (815) 741-5500