John McKenzie Furlong

John McKenzie Furlong (86) of Edina, MN died on July 2, 2025. John was born to his loving parents, Mildred (Stewart) and Thomas Furlong, of Lockport, NY on August 1, 1938. He grew up in upstate New York with his parents, his brother Thomas "Tom" and the extended Furlong/Stewart clan where the values that shaped his life were deeply instilled. Throughout his life, he was a man of faith and integrity who was honest to the core. Ever generous with his time and words, he was known to be caring, kind, chatty, fun and intelligent. And his hard work, intellect and curiosity took him to many places in life beyond the locks of the Erie Canal. Growing up John was a talented student, athlete and musician. When Lockport High School recognized him by inducting him into their Athletic Hall of Fame, he was described as "a leader, captaining the Lockport High School football, basketball and baseball teams in both his junior and senior years. He was a first-time all-league selection in basketball and baseball, and second-team all-league in football. He later played varsity basketball and baseball at Cornell" before joining the US Army. And during officers training, due to his musical background he was sent orders to play clarinet for the Army Band. There he met musicians from all walks of life who took him to clubs in their off duty hours where he would listen to jazz sparking a lifelong love. Following the Army, John obtained his law degree at University of NY- Buffalo where he received academic awards and was invited to write for the law review all four years, leading to the career that shaped his life. John was an accomplished attorney and anti-trust specialist who began his career as a trial lawyer for the Department of Justice in Chicago. He then moved to private practice at the law firm of Chapman and Cutler before accepting an offer in the General Counsel's office at Honeywell Inc, in Minneapolis, MN. It was a turning point in his life that marked the start of a wonderful 30+ year corporate law career where he was admired and widely respected for his astute and ethical approach to practicing law. It was in Chicago that he met Coletta "Itti" Hartigan on a blind date that forever changed his life. They married in 1968 and soon after the birth of their first daughter, Aileen, they moved from Chicago and settled into life up north where they expanded their family adding son, Andrew, and daughter, Jonna. They continued to reside in the Minneapolis area, where they created an extended family of friends for the next fifty plus years. John's passion for sports and music continued throughout his life and he shared these loves with family and friends. The team sports of his youth were replaced by tennis and golf. He was a good sportsman who relished tough competition, but equally enjoyed the camaraderie shared while changing sides of the court or walking the course with a stranger or friend. He was also an avid music lover. Despite growing up playing the piano and clarinet, he considered himself an "enthusiast listener, more than an artist" who spent countless hours listening to an eclectic mix of musical forms. From classical to jazz and everything in between, music filled his days. There was nothing he enjoyed more on road trips throughout the midwest, down south to the family farm or out west in Arizona than listening to it. John was a loving and devoted father, uncle and husband who cherished his role as a grandparent. He is survived by his loving wife, Itti, Aileen Caffrey (Henry), Jonna Hirsch (Brent), and his grandchildren, Clare and Bennett Hirsch. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mildred and Thomas Furlong, his brother Tom Furlong, and his dear son, Andrew Furlong. Visitation for John will be held on Thursday, July 10th at Washburn-McReavy Funeral home in Edina, MN from 4:00-8:00 pm (5000 West 50th St & Hwy 100, Edina MN 55436). Funeral Services will be on Friday, July 11th at Lakewood Cemetery Memorial Chapel (3600 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408). Visitation at 9:00am, memorial service at 10:00am, and burial to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to M Health Fairview Fund for Mental Health Services: https://makingagift.umn.edu/give/yourgift.html?&cart=23700.

Tributes

John McKenzie Furlong

August 1, 1938 - July 2, 2025

Tributes

John McKenzie Furlong

August 1, 1938 - July 2, 2025

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