Edward H. Hegarty, 89, of Oak Park has died. Born and raised in Chicago, he received his B.A. and his M.A. in music education both from Chicago Musical College (part of Roosevelt University) and directed and sang in the church choir at St. Angela Church in Chicago. He also sang with the Tower Chorale and was a longtime member of St. Giles Catholic Church. He appreciated opera music, listening to classical music and continued to expand on his piano technique, once retired, taking private piano lessons to the end of his life. He played in many recitals over the years, the most recent within the last month.
He and his wife, Mary Frances, married in 1953, and they recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Their home nest eventually filled-up with 11 children. The couple enjoyed travel and the family visited many states. When the nest emptied, they enjoyed some international travel.
His career in education started in the 1960s, teaching driver’s education, which he loved, followed by teaching in the upper grades and becoming an assistant principal. In 1964, he became a principal, which lasted until his retirement in 1990, and was principal of three different schools, Michael Faraday being the last and longest (22 years).
He volunteered at the Oak Park Arms to assist people with their taxes for many years and kept his mind active by doing the crossword, Sudoku, and memorizing long pieces of piano music. He was also physically active, being part of a deep water aerobics class at the local YMCA. His faith, wife, and family have always been the center of his life, and he will be sorely missed.
Edward Hegarty was the husband of Mary Frances (nee Mulhern); the father of Maureen (Dan) Kruszynski, RoseAnn (Jim) Vonesh, Kathleen (Robert) Burdett, Edward (Cindy), Michael (Diane), Mary Pat (the late Joe) Williams, Daniel, Patrick (Catherine), Mary Rose (Gerard) Crimmins, Terrence and Christopher (Amy Nelson) Hegarty; the grandfather of Megan and Jim (Kristina) Vonesh, Victoria Burdett, Diane (Brian) Bell and Natalie Burdett, Naomi and Aidan Hegarty, Logan and Tristan Williams, Ryan and Shannon Hegarty, Erica and Stephanie Hegarty, and Jared and Christopher Crimmins; the great-grandfather of Matthew, Caileigh, Grace, Sammy and Allison, and Kaylan, Lia, Myles and Neo; the brother of Patricia (Richard) Sharp and the late Ann (James) Malone and Mary Rose Hegarty; and the uncle and great-uncle of many.
Visitation will take place on Friday, Oct. 26 from 3 to 9 p.m. at Oak Park’s Drechsler, Brown & Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion St. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. at St. Giles Church, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Misericordia (Misericordia.org) are appreciated.
