Eugene J Fagan Sr. “Gene” 95, of Glen Mills, PA, (formerly of Wilmington DE.) passed away on Friday January 6, 2023.
Gene was born in Brooklyn NY to Edward F. and Madeline Clancy Fagan. He graduated from Brooklyn Prep High School in February of 1945 and joined the US Navy as the country was engaged in WWII. He was honorably discharged in August of 1946 and then attended Manhattan College on a GI Bill. He graduated from Manhattan in 1950 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. Gene then joined the Engineering Department of the E.I. DuPont de Nemours Company where he met the love of his life Anne McKenna. They were married on February 19, 1955.
The major portion of Gene’s career was spent on the design or supervision of design of world-scale manufacturing plants for the production of DuPont Fibers and Films. With DuPont for 40 years, he progressed to Specialist Manager which included responsibility for electrical and instrument design of facilities in the United States, Europe, Asia and South America. From 1985 to his retirement in 1990, he was responsible for electrical and instrument design on DuPont Fibers Department plants throughout the world.
Gene was a registered Professional Engineer in Delaware and New York. He was also a member of the Diocesan Building Committee of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, where he was responsible for the approval of electrical design for all Catholic churches, schools and other structures in the Delmarva Peninsula. He was also an active member of St. John the Beloved Parish from 1958 to 2015, volunteering in many capacities such as a lector and Parish Council.
He served many positions in the Delaware Bay section of IEEE , was a member of its Executive Committee, and a former representative to the IEEE Delaware Council of Engineering Societies He was named a Fellow in 1990. Gene was also a member of the IAS Petroleum and Chemical Industry Committee, again serving many positions and in 1985 was bestowed the highest honor of the “Russell W. Mills Award” in recognition of outstanding dedication and service to furthering the objectives of the Petroleum and Chemical Industry Committee (PCIC). The PCIC Eugene J. Fagan Scholarship Fund encompassed IEEE, IAS and PIC was established in his honor in 2018. Gene was also a 70 year member of the Dupont Country Club with a passion for playing golf.
Gene and Anne loved to travel. Being on the Boards of IEEE and PIC afforded them the ability to travel throughout the United States and Canada where they made lifelong friends. In later years they traveled to Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Their favorite vacation spots though, were summers in Ocean City, NJ with their children and 9 grandchildren and winters in Ft. Myers Beach FL.
Gene was predeceased by his parents, his brother Edward and wife Anne. He is survived by his children and spouses: Colleen Davis (John), Gene Fagan (Beth) and Katie Marini (Bob): his 9 grandchildren: John, Greg (Kaylie), Scott and Kate Davis, Sean (Ivana) and Kyle Fagan, Matt (Emma) and Keri Marini and Kelly (Dominic) D’Angelo and 3 great granddaughters.
In addition we would like to thank the entire staff at Evergreen Point, Maris Grove for their loving care of him these past few years, especially: June Blagrove, Asada Traore, and Alice Dolopei. He lovingly referred to them as “His Girls”. The family would also like to acknowledge the care Gene was given from Wellspring Hospice.
Visitation will be held on Friday, January 13th from 5 to 7 pm at McCrery and Harra Funeral Home, 3924 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 14th, at 12:30 pm at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 4701 Weldin Rd, Wilmington, DE. Interment will follow at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions can be made in his name to St. Mark’s High School, 2501 Pike Creek Rd., Wilmington, DE 19808.
For online condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com
