Obituary of Fergus T. Furlong

Fergus T. Furlong, age 87 of Wheeling. Beloved husband of JoAnne Furlong nee Beck for 35 ½ years. Loving father of Paul (Leanne), Greg (Linh), Debbi, and Ron (Fran) Furlong. Cherished grandfather of Rachel, Courtney, Geri Linh, Ron (Ashtin), Dillon, Krystle, Michele, Matthew, Thomas, and Valerie. Adored great grandfather of Emma, Logan, Westin, Kylie, and Aria. Loving brother to Carol (late Harold) Lawler. Loving brother-in-law, uncle, and friend to many. Fergus was preceded in death by 10 of his siblings. Fergus was born in Birmingham, England in 1933. During WWII, he and his siblings were sent to the countryside to avoid the German bombings of the city. In 1955, he left England and moved to Chicago. Fergus married Geraldine McLynn(Furlong) in 1956 and together they had 4 children. Fergus became a citizen in 1972 in order to be an alternate in judo at the Munich Olympics. For many years, Fergus taught judo in the garage of their Hoffman Estates home as well as being the Sensei at multiple clubs in the area. In the late 60’s, he started his own roofing company, Furlong and Sons. Fergus also worked at Portland Cement Association in Skokie, where he met JoAnne, and Fenton High School in Bensonville. They were married in 1985, and began a life of adventure. Fergus first began ministering in 1983 when he started going to the Chicago Gospel Mission where Rev. Russell Youngstrom gave him his first preaching opportunity. While there, he began to have his vision for the ministry, Christ Centered Instruction Ministries. In 1987, Fergus and JoAnne moved to England where they lived for 8 years. While in England, they taught Bible studies and continued to preach. In 1990, Fergus was called to be the pastor of Alum Rock Pentecostal Church in Birmingham. They returned to the Chicagoland area in 1995 and he went back into roofing and construction. Fergus was the interim pastor of the Lakeview Mennonite Brethren Church from 2000-2004. Over the years, Fergus went on many mission trips to India, Mauritius, England, and Ireland. He also had many ministry opportunities within the local churches, including North Northfield United Methodist Church, Glenview (now Cornerstone) Free Church, and Salt Creek Bible Church. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to Cherished Place Adult Day Club at https://www.lutheranhome.org/adult-daycare and North Northfield United Methodist Church Memorial Fund at http://northnorthfield.x10.mx/home.html are greatly appreciated. To leave a condolence, or for more information, visit www.funerals.pro or call 847.537.6600. A memorial celebration service will be held at a date to be determined.