Eugene F. Furey

Eugene F. Furey, of Lakewood, IL, passed away peacefully on July 23, 2025 at the age of 84.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, Gene attended Sacred Heart grade school in Newark, NJ, and Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, NJ, graduating in 1958. Following graduation, Gene served in the United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command from 1960-1964, and was stationed at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette County, MI, where he met the love of his life, Judy.

Gene and Judy were married in Negaunee, MI, on September 11, 1965. They would be celebrating 60 years of marriage this year. Gene and Judy moved to New Jersey where they started their family. Gene served on the Newark Fire Department, and graduated from Seton Hall University in 1968.

In 1974, the family relocated to Downers Grove, IL. They lived in Prentiss Creek neighborhood where they made lifelong friends. Gene loved running, BBQs, volleyball games in the backyard, and caring for the neighborhood common grounds.

In 1994, Gene and Judy relocated to Village of Lakewood, Turnberry neighborhood where he enjoyed golfing at RedTail Golf Course.

Gene had a long career in the metal container and chemical coatings industry. He worked sales and sales management roles at Continental Can Company, DeSoto, Technical Coatings and Watson Standard.

He was a proud member of IMDPA (International Metal Decorators Packaging Association), where he would have celebrated being a member for 50 years this fall.

Gene served his community as Treasurer of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton where he was a member; and served for the Village of Lakewood as Treasurer from 1998 – 2006 and Village Trustee from 2009-2017.

Gene loved travel and had been to all 50 states except New Mexico and Alaska. He enjoyed trips to the Jersey Shore, Italy, France, and Ireland, but his favorite place to visit was Tennessee to see his grandchildren.

He loved a good party, had great taste in music, enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, could fix anything and everything, and was an enthusiastic story and joke teller.

Above all, Gene had a passion for and was dedicated to serving God, his family, and his community.

Gene was the loving husband to Judith K. Furey; proud father to Michael Furey of Crystal Lake, Lisa (Owen Rice) Furey of Franklin, TN, and Steven (Jamie) Furey of Franklin TN; devoted Pop Pop to 7 grandchildren, Julia Katherine, George Thomas, William Patrick, Michael Francis, Katherine Marie, Theodore James, and John Patrick.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Pearl (nee Rowley) Furey, his brother Thomas M. Furey and his sister Judith A. Furey.

Visitation will be held Friday, August 22, 2025 from 10am until the time of the funeral Mass at 11am at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, 1023 McHenry Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. A private burial will be held for the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society: https://elizabethannseton.org/donate-to-st-vincent-de-paul-society