John Fegan Obituary

cant believe its been 14 years,we still talk about John all the time,mainly the good stuff! and we still qoute him all the time,"if i am in the room I get part of the commission"! John is greatly missed,he was one of the good guys! Trust and Honor,as Terry mentioned we are still keeping his dinner going in Vegas,which shows how much we thought of John.

Katie, Molly, & Maggie, I will always miss your father and his professional knowledge in commercial real estate. We still have our annual dinner in Las Vegas during ICSC RECON in his honor. Next diner is schedule for Tuesday, May 19, 2020, Thank you Mike Kolodny for keep this diner going. Terry McCollom

We still miss John, he was a great guy!
John was a dedicated real estate person and I learned a lot for him. I cant believe its been 14 years. OMG !!!
May he rest in peace.

Girls, I think you know how I felt about your Dad. What I've thought of so very often since he passed is the fact that we take our close friends for granted. We just expect to see them or talk to them every day and fail to stop and realize how special they are, and how precious each day really is. Maybe that's the lesson we can all learn here. We will all treasure his memory and the carry him in our hearts forever. My love to you all.

Dear Katie, Molly, and Maggie,

I first met your Dad doing My Fair Lady at Stepinac. He was in charge of the prop room but more important your Dad was known as the "Social Director". He was great at creating community and bringing people together. He was always organizing something. We double dated for the Senior Prom and never let me forget the great dating experience we had in Westchester. As I told you he(aka Juan) flew home from Puerto Rico to attend our wedding(Elaine and I). After getting married Elaine and I settled in AZ and John eventually moved to Chicago. And so in years to come Chicago became our mid country destination. After all your Dad was the social director, so why not stop in and catch up on old times. Planes, trains or automobiles, the social director became the ambassador to Chicago. No matter how we rolled into town, John came to meet us, greet us and make us feel very welcome. And yes he always had an agenda. We would do this tour, visit this Restaurant, office building, and church. You name it, he knew the pedigree of every building and person in Chicago. I came into town with Matt my son to visit the music department at DePaul and John takes us to a jazz night club because Matt was into music. We came into town like a band of gypsy’s towing a vehicle on a move cross country, and John slips some money to the parking attendant at McDonald’s downtown so I could park this parade while we had a great dinner in the Hard Rock Cafe across the street. I come into town for a quiet, boring business trip, gave John a call, and we end up going to watch line dancing at a country western nightclub. Your Dad always had a plan, he was always positive, and most of all, whenever we came to town, he would tell endless stories about Katie, Molly and Maggie. Girls, I believe he is watching over you from heaven(while being the best social director St Peter has ever seen). John took all is social director skills and channeled it into his love for you all. Treasure and guard the memories of this special gift. Peace and Love , Joe Stabile

To the Fegan Girls --

I am a bit of a 'blast from the past' in your Dad, John's life. We have not been in touch much in the last many years execpt for Christmas cards and pictures he sent of YOU. Since I was a Good Counsel Academy girl and he was a Archbishop Stepinac HS boy, we got to know each other while doing the Stepinac plays -- and later the summer theater. I want you to know that your father was the guy you always wished you knew in high school and college. We all hung out at a time when guys and girls could be friends and dates over a period of years without necessarily having exclusive relationships and burning out on each other. My memories of John include crazy fun things like running around together in the midst of a horrendous thunderstorm, and cast parties lasting 'til 4 in the morning. Some how your dad convinced my very suspicious mother that it was safe for him to take me to a big rock concert at Madison Square Garden in NYC, and for him to drive my parent's Oldsmobile up to Binghamton, NY (4 hours away)to bring things up to my first college apartment. Your Dad's letters from Puerto Rico sustained me through my first very lonely year as a graduate student in Charlottesville, VA. He was very annoyed with me that I threw away those letters, and now I am very annoyed with myself. They were works of art.

I hope these memories give you a bit more of a picture of your Dad's life during his 'New York period'. He was tons of fun, and so nice to all the girls that he must have been asked to a dozen proms. I consider myself lucky to have known him. Hope you can find some comfort in these words.

Sincerely,

Betty Dannewitz

Your father was truly a wonderful man. I knew him for the five years that I have worked in the corporate office at Draper and Kramer. I can honestly say that he was the friendliest person in our company. I loved his sense of humor. Whenever we were at a business function together I made an effort to sit next to him so that the event would be a little bit more fun. It always was. I had the good fortune of sharing a dinner with him at a business meeting about three weeks ago. He spent the evening sharing stories about his three girls. He so loved you. It is tragic that you lost him so early in life but his love and devotion is a gift he gave you that will forever be in your hearts. In this way he will be with you forever. Cherish your memories. He will be so missed by me and all my colleagues. You are in my prayers.

John Fegan will be sorely missed by all who were lucky enough to have met him. He lived his life like he conducted his business, with class and dignity. I feel blessed that I could call him a friend. John raised the bar in the real estate industry, just like he did as a father to his 3 daughters. He was respected and admired by all who had any dealings with him, either personal or professional. John Fegan was a gentleman and a scholar. Memories of John will always be a treasure to his friends and family.

Dear Fegan family,

I only knew John for eleven years. We purchased a shopping center which DK Carlson managed. John very quickly showed his kindness and integrity. It did not take long before we considered each other good friends. Dinners in Las Vegas, CASCO meetings and business relationships. He was a cherished friend and valuable business contact. Even thought he always said, “If I am in the room I get a cut if the commission.” That was not really his first priority. He wanted you to make the deal. If he could help he was there.

John, I am sure you will be missed by your family and the many friends you have made over the years. Every year in Vegas you ask us to bring three extra chotskies to the Tuesday night dinner, for your daughters. Where do I send the ones for next year? I will miss you buddy!

Your friend, David

Dear Katie, Molly and Maggie,

The remarkable love and devotion you shared with your dad is truly a gift. We agree with Father Cusick that you indeed are lucky to have that love as your legacy. We cherish the saying, "Love you always and in all ways" and will remember John with this wise statement fondly.

If we can ever be of help or solace in any way, at any time, we would be honored to help.

Our deepest sympathy and love,

Madonna and Bill Weldon and Family.

Dear Molly, Maggie & Katie,



Your Father was a much loved man; we will all miss him greatly. Your Father was the best at what he did and also loved his profession.



I can't tell you how many little notes attached with articles or leads he has sent me over the years. John was always thinking about everyone. He was one of the most generous people I have ever met. Not a conversation went by where you three we not included. Maybe because there is only about a 10 year age difference and our Dad's are best friends, but I would be wearing a French braid and John would go on telling me the story about how proud Molly was when she learned to braid her own hair or I would have on my pearls & John would tell me the story of how he bought pearls for all the girls when they were to graduate from high school but ended up caving in and giving them to you before then because he was too excited to hold onto them.



John always noticed the tiniest details and always had a story to tell. We will all miss those stories and compliments. Our table at the ICSC conventions will be empty without John's fliers & projects. No CASCO or Vegas dinner will ever be the same without him & his infamous jokes. I will miss the "out of the box" leads & little notes & articles he always sent me. John was a mentor to me with great ideas to help on my projects.



We all love and miss you John, you were a great man. Molly, Maggie & Katie, He loves you three more than anything in the world. Even though you can't see him, your Father is still with you. My heart & prayers go out to you and your family & may God Bless you.

Katie, Molly, Maggie: Your father was a respected professional in the real estate industry, and he was a good friend to many, but the real

measure of your father's stature here on earth was his love for you, his daughters. All who knew John, knew you. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. Treasure your memories of your father. He was a good man.

Dear Katie, Molly, and Maggie,

I am very sorry for your loss. I know that I, as his older sister, now feel a void in my heart and it aches. I will pray to John and pray for John and you. He will always be watching over you.

My family and I have many wonderful memories of John. Just a few weeks ago, John was at my birthday party. His being there made my day special. We have wonderful pictures taken at the party. In each one of them, he is smiling. People at the wake commented that in all the pictures that were displayed, he was smiling. It is his smile, kindness, love, humor, and devotion to you that I will remember most. I am very proud of John and will miss him. Aunt Dottie

what can you say at a time like this you have to play the cards your dealt but john did not deserve this hand and neither did his daughters.but as the priest said this morning they are three of the luckiest girls in the world as are we who knew john for this far too short period of time.john was a great friend always ther if you needed him business wise he was a true professional(unless he was in a room where a deal was being made and then "he was due a commission" it did not matter that there were 1000 people in the room)that was one of johns lines that he would remind us of,the other thing john would always remind us of was his wonderful daughters i do not remember a conversation that he did not talk about them john was a very very proud father they were his life.john you will be greatly missed and never forgotton vegas will never be the same without you.just as the mastercard commercial states FRIEND OF JOHN FEGAN PRICELESS

what can you say at a time like this you have to play the cards your dealt,butjohn did not deserve this hand and neither did his daughters.but as the priest said this morning they are three of the luckiest girls in the world as are we who knew john for this far too short period of time.john was a great friend always there if you needed him,business wise he was a true professional,(unless he was in a room where a deal was being made and then he reminded you"i get the commission")that was one of his usual lines he would remind us of.the other thiing he would always remind us of were his wonderful daughters i do not remember a conversation that he did not talk about them john was a very very proud father they were his life.john you will be greatly missed and never forgotten Vegas will not be the same without you.just as the mastercard commercial friend of john fegan PRICELESS

Dear Fegan Family:

I first met John when we worked together at JMB in the early 80's. I sold Washington Park Plaza in Homewood, and John was the leasing agent for that property. I recall even back then how diligent John was in working on his assignments. Even after he moved on from JMB, we kept in touch over the years, seeing each other at industry functions like the ICSC. John always had a smile on his face, and was so very personable, always interested in how I was doing.



Later, in 1989, I moved my family to River Forest, and he somehow found out I was there, and that we lived only a few blocks from each other. He went out of his way to welcome us to the neighborhood, and stopped by with a bottle of Champaign to celebrate with us. He invited us over for dinner at his house, and I remember how much he loved his young daughters. A few years later, when I had my first child, I ran into him at the local playground, playing with the three of them. They were a great family.



Years later, I joined U.S. Equities Realty in downtown Chicago, and we kept in touch, occasionally meeting for lunch, and comparing notes on what was going on in the real estate industry. While I hadn't seen his daughters since that day at the playground, I always heard stories of how they were doing, and I would always think at the time, how wonderful his relationship was with them. Last week, when I received the news of his passing, the first thing I remarked to my colleagues was how devoted he was to them.



I just came from the funeral mass at Old St. Pat's. What a touching service it was. Everyone would be grateful to have such a group of loving family and friends gather to celebrate one's life. The priest, his brothers, his daughters, the beautiful music, all combined to create a wonderful atmosphere of love. I walked away feeling truly blessed to have been there. The first thing I did was to call my wife and tell her how much I love her and our children. Just as the priest advised, "Love one another, as I have loved you."Thank you, John, for the gift of yourself, and the loving example you have displayed for all of us. As I go on in my life, I'll try to always remember that example, and pass it on to others.







PS The last time I saw John was at the Eisenberg Dinner. He asked me if he could send me his daughter's resume (the one who attends Vanderbilt) to see if my firm could provide a summer internship for her. He never had a chance to forward it to me. While I do not know as yet whether we will have an opening next summer, I would still like to receive the resume just in case we have a position available here. I am not sure which daughter John was referring to (I think it may be Molly), but if you read this, please forward your resume to me, and I'll make sure to follow up with you.

To the family of John Fegan ...



The world is an emptier place now because of the passing of John Fegan. His absence from this life creates such a void and reaffirms my belief in the saying, "only the good die young." I lost my own mother at 54 years of age and my sister at the ripe old age of 27. I have just a little experience in this department, sadly.



To the three very special daughters of John, I want each of you to know that I had the great pleasure of working with your father for many years in my capacity as Administrative Assistant to Harold Carlson in our Rosemont office. His warmth, caring and compassion was unwavering on a daily basis. His dedication to his profession was obvious. His love of "neighbor" was unquestionable. But your father reserved his very best warmth, caring, compassion, dedication, and love for what mattered most to him--the three of you! I worked with your father at a time when the three of you came into his world, and I've never seen a prouder papa. He always had photos and stories at the ready, and since my own child was born around that same time, we would have fun exchanging back and forth. His magnetic personality and infectious smile always made him such a pleasure to be around.



Heaven's garden holds a new bloom today. Until we meet again, John, I pray God will bless you and your family. You will certainly be missed.

Dear Katie, Molly and Maggie,

Please know that my heart goes out to you at this terribly painful time. I meet your dad in 1977 -- the year my father died. As we closed the year on New Year's eve in GreekTown, I told him what it lousy year it had been because my father died and he told me that it was a lousy year for me, but a good one for him. Good because he met me, as well as other friends of your mother who were all having a festive time that night(myself included). It was something that I never forgot -- his quiet, subtle affirmation and his reminder both that while one is in pain others are finding joy, and while we have joy, others are hurting. Somehow there is a delicate balance in life. It was an important moment that I often recall -- your dad and what he said.

May God bless you always, now in your sorrow, and also in the days ahead. Love and prayers, Rita

To Katherine, Maureen and Margaret;

I have known your father over the years since 1980 when I met him at the Santa Claus Anonymous Charity meetings. He had been in contact in the last 10 years and was always known to be generous of time and enthusiasm for lifes many opportunities.

I am sure you all will miss his presence but cherish his memory. This will be true for all of his friends in life and now in death.



God bless all of you.

Katie, Molly and Maggie,

Your Father was clearly my best friend in the real estate industry. The reason for this is the trust your Father and I had between each other. When we were at retail real estate events people would come and ask me where is your father? Your Dad told me that happened to him alot too.

Your Father was one of the most honest men I have ever met. My wife also thought your Father was "top shelf" too. She said he was always concerned about the other guy before himself. I agree with her.

Your Dad was an active member in CASCO, Chicagoland Association of Shopping Centers Owners and served as a Board member to the organization.

I think the things I will miss about your Father will be ICSC events. Our annual dinner in Las Vegas will never be the same without him there. The Eisenberg Dinner in Chicago will also miss John. But I think the thing I will miss the most is our once a week phone calls talking about everything from your guys, my guys, business, and just nothing, like friends do.

Please keep in touch with me.

John, Good bye my friend, I will miss you.

To John Fegan's family



I worked with John since he joined the firm and found him to be a wonderful person to work with. Far more than his obvious love of his job was his devotion to his children.



As I am out of town I will not be able to attend John's memorial servie. But, I want his children especially, to know how much I liked and admired John. He will be greatly missed.

Dear Katie,Molly and Maggie,



Your dad and I first met many years ago at Old St. Pat's. He played an instrumental role in helping me through a very difficult part of my life. We remained friends throughout the years. His love, understanding, generosity, kindness and gentleness was not limited to just his family. John bestowed, all that, upon me too. I was blessed to know, admire and love him. I will miss him tremendously.

To my dear friend John,

I still cannot believe that this has happened. It was just 2 weeks ago that I finally had lunch with you again and we chatted about your new leases, the grand opening ideas!!??, the girls, and life in general. While I had not seen you for awhile, I could always count on your mail and email updates and would file them away in one of my many “John Fegan” files. Many a time I would get a chuckle out of something that you sent and wonder…what is this man thinking? But then, days, weeks or months later, I’d be writing a report or newsletter and remember, hey that’s what John sent me. My mother still remembers the time you told her how much you valued working with me, and even today when her day-to-day memory is sometimes challenged, she immediately recalled that phone conversation that you had with her back in 1988 when you had called me and she answered. Like my mother, you placed a great priority on family and St. Patrick’s Day. I wonder if others know how you used to invite your 12 favorite women to a pot-luck lunch in the conference room, in honor of this March 17th feast day. It was fun…it was typical John Fegan and the great memories will always be with us.



To Katie, Molly and Maggie, please know how fiercely proud your dad was of each of you. He really loved being your dad and wanted the very best for each of you. I will miss him forever, but know that he will be looking down on us and guiding us through our day.

I am deeply saddened to learn of John Fegan's passing. We worked together at The Chicago Equitable Building in the 1960s, and after our transfer, I met with him every year at conventions. I will miss his cheerful attitude, smile and presence.

To John's Family:

I have worked with John for many years and consider him to be a good friend. I'll always remember how he drove to Decatur and stood in line for 2 hours to visit with my family when my mother died. My prayers are with your family.

To the entire Fegan family I would like to send my condolences for the recent lose of your father. Having known the entire family many years it saddens me to learn of such news. Your father will always be remembered as a man who wanted nothing but the best for his children and is looking down from heaven smiling because of how well you all have done so far. If we can do anything for you in this time of mourning or in the future please don't hesitate to let us know. You are all in my prayers.

God Bless,

Sean Ristau

In 1982 I first met John- he was interviewing me to work at JMB Realty - a company I eventually spent 22 years working for. I remember thinking that if all people in the shopping center business were half as nice as John I was going to have a wonderful career. Through out those years John remained a friend, a mentor and an inspiration. He was always there with a bit of wisdom and a story about his beloved daughters - always willing to share business advice and a humerous experience. He was a true gentleman. His legacy lives on for I am a better person for having known him.

Katie, Molly and Maggie,



I was saddened to learn of your father's untimely passing. Having experienced a similar early loss of my own father I can empathize with your grief and the loss you are feeling at this time. Knowing how much you loved your Dad, I encourage you to remember the good times you shared with your Dad and pass on that memory to your friends and family. I remember your Dad for his devotion to all three of you as you have grown. An avid baseball enthusiast, he and I shared many conversations on the sidelines watching you and Kelly and Meghan play t-ball, minors and majors softball and lacrosse. It is my hope that you find comfort in your faith and that you remember that God is with you always and at all times.



God Bless you,



Mr. Ristau

I will remember John for his curiosity about cities, neighborhoods, and people; for his devotion to his daughters; and for his commitment and service to small businesses in his retail brokerage practice. He worked tirelessly to give people a chance.

Dear Katie, Molly and Maggie,

Please accept our heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your dad. We always enjoyed talking to him at the different functions.

You are in our prayers and our thoughts.

May God bless you.

Brian and Anna Jean Flanagan

John was a wonderful person who had great caring for many, many people and was also a consumate real estate professional. He had a great dry humor that attracted many to him. John was a wonderful person and friend. We will miss you.

Sue and Paul

I was saddened to hear of John's death. In addtion to being a very dedicated Father, John was a true professional in the real estate field. We had many good laughs sharing stories and experiences over the years. He will be truly missed in the real estate world. Our thoughts and prayers are with his daughters and the entire Fegan family.

My prayers and sympathy to John's family. We met at my sister Bernadette's wedding and I will remember John as a very kind person. God Bless. Rosemary Treacy

John, I will truly miss you very much. I'll never forget the day that you interview me at DK/Carlson. You came out of your way to meet me at Lake Meadows Shopping Center. It was a pleasure working with you. My heart is sadden. But now, I know that you are in a much better place, heaven. God Bless your daughters and your family.

Over the three and a half years I have known John I have grown to appreciate his gentle and thorough professionalism. It has been a pleasure to work with him, appreciate his skills and learn from his abundant expertise. I know how he loved his daughters for he always spoke about them. He will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace.

I worked with John at Draper and Kramer several years ago when we use to talk at length about raising children as a single parent. I was so impressed by John's desire do do everything he could for his daughters. He was the quintessential father and worked very hard all of his career to provide for his children. No doubt he made many sacrifices along the way for them.



It was always good to see John's smiling face at the shopping center conventions. Sometimes we would reminisce about Draper and Kramer, but almost always we would talk about our kids. He was so proud of his daughters and he loved them so very very much.



John helped many real estate clients and was a loyal and devoted executive at Draper and Kramer; however, he will be remembered most for his love and devotion to his family.



John, we will miss you and remember you always.

Such a sudden loss of such a good man, and I am sorry. I saw John just 10 days ago at a Chicago Crime Commission event and he was as vigorous and engaging as he was when I knew him from St. Clement's years ago. A smile or laugh was always just seconds away with John; so was a wry comment or incisive observation. I'm glad our paths crossed so recently: my privilege! May he stand before his God with all the light and love he brought to life.

Fr. Thomas Nangle

Chaplain, Chicago Police Dept.

John was a dear friend and colleaugue who always was there for you and always had a kind word to say about everyone. He will be deeply missed. My thoughts and prayers to the entire Fegan family.



Michael Puritz