John E. “Jack” Egan
Prominent Franklin Attorney and senior member of the Venango County Bar Association, John E. “Jack” Egan, 89, a resident of 734 Buffalo Street in Franklin, died peacefully Monday morning, May 23, 2016, in UPMC-Northwest in Seneca; with his wife by his side following a period of declining health.
He was born December 30, 1926, in Oil City, a beloved son of the late: Edward J. and Margaret H. Lenehan Egan.
He graduated with the St. Joseph High School Class of 1944 in Oil City, the Class of 1950 of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh and with the highest honors from Georgetown University School of Law in Washington, DC in 1954.
While attending Duquesne University, he was employed by the Pennsylvania Railroad and Kaufmann’s Department Store in Pittsburgh. While attending law school, he was employed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) and by the United States Tax Court.
He proudly served his country with the Mountain and Winter Warfare Division of the U.S. Army; where he attained rank of Technical Sergeant First Class. He later graduated from the R.O.T.C. Unit at Duquesne University as well as at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia where he earned rank of Second Lieutenant.
Upon returning to Oil City, Attorney Egan was employed as an associate with the law firm of Nesbit & Wasson in Franklin from 1956-1961. In 1961, he joined the late H. Carl Wasson as a partner in the long established Franklin law firm of Wasson & Egan. The firm continues to this day with its law offices at 1180 Elk Street in Franklin.
Attorney Egan was a devout member of St. Patrick Church in Franklin; where he served also as a lector and usher at Mass. He was a member of the first parish council of the church and had formerly served as president of St. Patrick School Board. He also held lifetime memberships in both the 3rd and 4th degrees of the Knights of Columbus.
He remained very active in many civic endeavors.
Attorney Egan was a former Grand Knight of the Oil City Knights of Columbus, a member and past-President of the former Franklin Club, a member and former Director of the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce, a charter member and past-President of the Venango County Historical Society, a longtime board member of the Salvation Army of Franklin, and was a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the Franklin Y.M.C.A.
He was also a Trustee and longtime member of the Kiwanis Club of Franklin and had served for many years on the Advisory Board of First National Bank in Franklin. He was a charter member of the Venango County Industrial Development Authority where he had served as its Director for more than 30 years and as President for 15 years. He was also a lifetime member of Franklin Elks Lodge B.P.O.E. #110.
Attorney Egan had practiced law in Venango County for more than 60 years; having been initially admitted into practice during November of 1955. He was also admitted to practice law before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Superior and Commonwealth Courts as well as the U.S. Federal District and Circuit Courts. He was a member of the Venango County Bar Association for more than 60 years and had formerly served as its President.
He had also served as Solicitor for many years for several local government bodies which included: Barkeyville Borough, Polk Borough, Clintonville Borough, as well as Frenchcreek, Mineral, Canal, Clinton and Allegheny Townships; and had also served as longtime Solicitor for the Sugarcreek Zoning Hearing Board. He had served as Solicitor of the Venango County Sheriff’s office for 12 years and as Solicitor for the Cranberry Area School District for more than 25 years, retiring from that post in 1996.
In 1959, he married the former Marihelen Hopwood at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Oil City by the late Reverend Francis Kaltenbaugh; and she survives.
In addition to his beloved wife of 57 years, he is survived by two daughters: Mary Nell Egan Adebimpe and her husband David of West Hartford, CT and Ann Egan Danvers and her husband Kreag of Franklin and by five grandchildren: Michael and Daniel Adebimpe both of West Hartford, CT and Johnathan, Laura and Joseph Danvers all of Franklin.
Also surviving is his brother: Reverend Thomas R. Egan, a Maryknoll priest presently serving the faithful in China and by a sister: Sister Mary Therese Egan, O.S.B. a member of the community of Benedictine Sisters in Erie; and by many loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers: Joseph P. Egan, who was Killed in Action during World War II, Daniel J. Egan and Edward F. Egan.
Friends may call Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Timothy E. Hartle Funeral Home, 1328 Elk Street, Franklin. A Christian Wake service will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 3:45 p.m. in the funeral home with Reverend Thomas R. Egan, officiating.
A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted Friday at 11 AM in St. Patrick Church, 949 Liberty Street, in Franklin with Reverend Thomas R. Egan, as principle celebrant.
Memorial contributions, if desired, may be made to either: St. Patrick School, 952 Buffalo Street, Franklin, Pa. 16323 or to Venango Catholic High School, 1505 West First Street, Oil City, Pa. 16301.
Private interment will be in Calvary Cemetery, Oil City.
Please visit www.hartlefuneralhome.com for further information and to leave your note of condolence.
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Category: Obituaries