Michael Fagan: 1929 – 2024
Volume 39 Issue 7, 8, & 9 | Posted: October 23, 2024
Michael was born in 1929 in Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland. He worked in Ireland and then England for a while, and then at the invitation of a friend, he went to Canada where he worked in a uranium mine in the North. Later he was offered a job in Bancroft, Ontario, and when looking for a retreat nearby, he discovered Madonna House in Combermere, a lay apostolate community where God seemed to be calling him. He joined the community in 1957.
He spent over thirty years at Marian Centre in Edmonton, one of the mission houses of Madonna House, which has served the poor of the area with food, clothing, and hospitality since 1955. He was the Director there from 1977 to 1986. During that time, he was acutely aware of the many unmet needs in the area and was very active in working diligently with others to initiate other badly needed social services such as shelters, housing, a medical clinic, detox, and other services. He was one of the original founders of the Edmonton Food Bank, the first in Canada. In 1987, he was presented with the City of Edmonton Achievement Award for his significant contributions in the areas of Social Services in the city. After he left Marian Centre, he served as Director of Training at Madonna House in Combermere, Ontario, for a time before returning to Edmonton once again.
He has been described as a gem of a man who lived life vibrantly, full of good humor, offering warmth and friendship to all he met.
Michael died in Edmonton on August 16, 2024. He is survived by his twin sister, Maureen; many nieces and nephews; and is greatly missed by his Marian Centre and Madonna House community. He was predeceased by his siblings, Christopher, Patricia, and Vincent.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial Donations to the Edmonton Food Bank (https://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/donate-now/) would be greatly appreciated.