John “Jack” Patrick Egan, 94, beloved husband to Margaret “Peggy” (Godfrey) Egan, of West Hartford, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2021 at home, surrounded by his family. Jack was born on March 20, 1927 in Ballinamona, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, County Galway, Ireland to the late Michael and Julia (Niland) Egan. Jack arrived in the United States on April 8, 1949 to his late Aunt Helen Egan Murray and her family of West Hartford. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, after serving in the 8 th Cavalry Regiment in Japan during the Korean War, receiving his National Defense Service Medal. Jack courted and wed his beloved Peggy on February 4, 1956 at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Hartford and recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. He was proudly employed at Southern New England Telephone Company for over 38 years, retiring as a Building Services Manager. While at SNET, Jack served as a Union Steward and developed lifelong friendships. Although he left Ireland, he never forgot his Irish roots, and made many trips back home over the years with his family. Nothing made Jack happier than meeting up with family, neighbors and old friends when he visited Galway and Mayo. He was a life-time member of the Irish-American Home Society in Glastonbury where he happily attended many events and was also a past member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 2, where he had the privilege to serve a term as Vice-President. As a retiree, Jack became an Elk and was a member of the New Britain BPO Lodge. Throughout the years, Jack enjoyed many a setback game with his close friends, Nancy and Mike Daly, playing cribbage with his cousins John and Jim Concannon and was famous for singing “On Top of Old Smokey” at family gatherings. Amongst his family, he was known as Mr. Fix-It or a jack of all trades. Jack was a self-taught man who took pride in his handy work and was especially pleased with the fact that he rarely had to call a serviceman to assist. He was a hardworking man who was always ready to help anyone in need and had every tool for the job. Above all, Jack loved his family and was intensely proud of his children and grandchildren and will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Aside from his wife, Jack will be missed dearly by his children, Cathy Mieczkowski, her husband Jim and their daughter Maggie of West Hartford, John Patrick Egan, Jr. of West Hartford, Bernadette Foley, her husband Brian and their daughter Maeve of Wethersfield, Julie Briere and her children Sheridan, Delaney and Burke of Ireland, and Betsy Egan, her husband Tom Feerick and their children John Kilkenny, Máire and Tadhg of Ireland. His sister Mary Glynn of County Galway, Ireland, his Godsons, Michael Egan and Mark Archambault and his many nieces, nephews and cousins in America, Ireland and England. Jack was predeceased by his siblings, Michael, Ann, Peter, Nora, Joseph and Patrick, as well as his son-in-law, Douglas Briere. A very special thank you is extended to Cutie Lyn Shippy, his caregiver for the past 2½ years, as well as Karen Esquilin, who provided care in the evenings. They treated Jack with utmost respect and kindness for which his family will be forever grateful.