John Egan

John Edward Anthony “Tony” Egan passed away on February 21, 2022, after enduring two years of cancer treatment. He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Ruth Grace Egan (née Dooley); his cherished sons Timothy (Heather Marie), Malachy (Amanda), and Austin (Lori); his adored grandchildren Eamon, Eoin, Nuala, Oscar, Malachy Óg, and Cormac; dear in-laws James J. Dooley, Jr., Frank, Judy & Frankie Dooley, John J. "Jack" & Katharine Coyle; and many beloved relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Jack R. Dooley, and dear friend, Ronald A. Paterson.

Born May 17, 1945 in Manchester, England, to John Egan of Tavrane, County Mayo, Ireland, and Bridget “Bea” Egan (née Cummins) of Sinolane, County Mayo, Ireland, Tony emigrated to Orillia, Ontario, Canada with his parents in 1952. Two years later, the family moved to Wayne, PA, where they settled permanently.

Tony attended St. Katharine of Siena High School in Wayne, graduating in 1963. He earned a bachelor’s degree from West Chester University in 1967 and embarked upon a teaching career in the School District of Philadelphia. He later earned a Master of Education from Temple University in 1969.

After more than 20 years as a special education teacher in Philadelphia, Tony retired in 1988 and began a second career as a real estate appraiser, celebrating 40 years with Coyle, Lynch & Company in 2021. He was a proud Member of the Appraisal Institute, serving as President of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Chapter in 2001.

Tony and Ruth married in 1974, settled in Havertown, PA, and started their family. With their shared love of horticulture, they created a backyard oasis with crepe myrtles, a fountain, and fig trees (even if they didn’t always bear fruit). They filled their home with music: Tony maintained an extensive record collection focused on classical and traditional Irish music, and played drums, tinwhistle, flute, bones, and bodhrán. His other interests included fine food, bad movies, history, art & architecture, and a good Old Fashioned. He donated his time and money to many worthy causes.

Tony loved to travel with Ruth and his family, visiting England, Wales, Scotland, Canada, and much of the United States, including Hawai’i. Two vacations to Italy turned his love for all things Italian into a full-blown obsession. Among his most cherished family trips were those to Ireland to spend time with beloved cousins in Mayo, Meath, and Tipperary.

In addition to his two professional careers, Tony found his true calling as Pop-Pop to his six grandchildren (Eamon, Eoin, Nuala, Malachy Óg, Oscar, and Cormac). He delighted in telling jokes, reading stories, sneaking candies, and making funny faces, and he was a sideline fixture at countless soccer and baseball games.

The family extends their gratitude to Tony's longtime nurse, Peggy Lyons, for her care and friendship over the years. In a final act of charity, Tony donated his body to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine to further the education of first year medical students.

Relatives and friends are invited to his Visitation, Friday, March 4, 6 - 8 p.m. at Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 W. Chester Pike, Upper Darby, PA; and Saturday, March 5, 10:00 - 10:55 a.m., St. John Neumann Church, 380 Highland Lane, Bryn Mawr, PA, followed by his Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. The Family is asking all guests to wear a face mask both Friday and Saturday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the St. Vincent dePaul Society of Philadelphia, 661 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462.