Newton has lost an active citizen who has helped make our community better in so many ways. Dan Fahey, who passed away yesterday after a 10-month illness, cared deeply and participated in many aspects of Newton politics and community life, with a particular focus on financial management. He was trusted and respected — by those on all sides of any issue — as a man of principle, honesty, analysis, and courage.
After a career in banking, Dan volunteered for the nonprofit Homeowner Options for Massachusetts Elders, giving financial advice to people facing foreclosure or bankruptcy, always with forthright expertise and empathy.
Dan wrote columns in the Newton TAB about municipal fiscal responsibility, and he participated frequently with thoughtful comments on a wide range of topics in the Newton TAB and Village 14 blogs. He called each issue as he saw it: In 2008, he co-founded the group opposing a tax override campaign, and five years later he was honorary co-chair of the campaign promoting a different override. Many candidates sought his endorsement. He loved the action of Newton politics, and for him it was never about personal squabbling — always just about the facts as he saw them.
Above all, Dan was especially devoted to his family – his daughter Lia, his late wife Betsy, and his current wife Ginny. Ginny and Lia invite those who knew Dan to a celebration of his life, on Saturday, May 6 at 2PM at Newton North High School. They note that it will be “a time of sharing stories and music, a time for all to celebrate the gift of friendship that Dan gave so many of us — so wear pink or any other light, bright cheerful clothing.”
I liked Dan immensely and will miss his posts and other public commentaries. He had a wonderful knack of disagreeing with various programs and proposals put forward by other groups or individuals in Newton; but while he would argue strongly, he never did it in an unkind manner and I don’t think he lost any friends or made any enemies by what he advocated or how he handled himself. He was a voice for tolerance, prudence and reason. I never knew precisely where to put him on a political scale and that’s probably an indication of just how open he was. He will be missed by many here.
Thanks for sharing Bruce. Very sad news.
He was such a classy, caring man. And in a city where politics can be so divisive, Dan always found a way to rise far above. Our community was so very lucky to have him and I feel privileged to have enjoyed many cups of coffee talking about Newton with Dan.
I’m saddened by the news. Condolences to Dan’s family. He was an exceptionally nice person, and he’ll certainly be missed here on V14.
My condolences to Dan’s family and many friends.
I always thought of Dan as a gentleman. He held himself to high standards and he represented civic engagement at its best. Newton was lucky to have him.
I didn’t know Dan well but always appreciated his comments here on V14 and his Tab columns. When I finally did meet him I took an immediate liking to him. He was a good guy and will be missed.
I am very sorry to hear about Dan’s passing. He was a true gentleman, and an excellent mentor to those who care about our community. I treasure my conversations with him.
My very deepest condolences to his family. He will be dearly remembered.
Dan was simply the best: generous with his time and committed to civic engagement – and always with a smile. He was a gem. So sad to hear this news.
I’m very sorry to hear this news. Dan was definitely one of the good ones.
Pretty much everything Bob Burke said.
This is such sad news. I didn’t know Dan very well, but what I knew of him I liked very much. He will definitely be missed.
My condolences to his family as well.
Codladh sámh, Dan Fahey.
I didn’t know Dan but was always impressed by his composure and his insightful comments on V14. I will miss his kindness, wise words and good heart.
I hope his family finds peace as they continue to miss him. The party is a great way to show appreciation for the person he was.
I was fortunate to have had the chance to get to know Dan pretty well over the past few years. Really a sweet guy… a voice of reason in a city where we often get so revved up over this or that. He gave me some sound advice on a few matters. He had the wisdom that comes with years of experience.
I had been thinking of Dan recently and was so saddened to learn of his passing yesterday. God bless you Dan Fahey and condolences to his family.
Really sad news. I got to know Dan pretty well during the charter commission election. He always had insightful and out of the box ways of looking at things that challenged my assumptions. He will be missed.
The City is diminished by Dan’s passing. I knew him only from his posts, but from the outpouring of respect that I have read above, I wish I had known him better! My deepest condolences and wishes for sweet memories to his family.
Dan will be missed by Newton. He analyzed problems and was willing to support unpopular solutions. I wish his family my support and knowledge that he was important to Newton politics.. Newton will miss him.
Like all the comments above, I too saw Dan as insightful, fair, reasoned, no bones to pick.In person, as well as in his writings on this blog and in the TAB, he was someone to respect. I too will miss him and his contributions to community dialogue.
The previous comments summed up Dan pretty well. A gentleman. Thoughtful. Engaged. Newton was lucky to have him.
Though we worked closely together when we co-chaired Newton For Fiscal Responsibility and successfully fought the override…then successfully supported the next override…to me Dan was Lia’s dad.
I’ve known Dan Fahey for 25 years, since our daughters were students and best friends at the Ward School, then Bigelow Middle School, then Newton North. For much of this time we were just dads, meeting at school events, kids’ play dates, and the like.
It wasn’t until years later, when we were both getting active in Newton politics that I found out he had a financial background. We both were unhappy with the way city finances were managed. We met with activists, politicians, city finance managers. We were geeks who actually enjoyed going to Aldermanic meetings. There was always something to learn. Dan was always having lunch or coffee with someone. Always polite, always engaged, always trying to understand what the other person knew and what he was thinking.
Dan was user friendly. I, on the other hand…
He continued the meetings long after Setti and Maureen had straightened out city finances and gotten them back on track. Dan met regularly with Setti, sometimes in his office, other times at Johnny’s. I was there on a couple of occasions. The meetings were generally arranged by Dan and offered as a way of giving Setti his perspective. Setti was always interested in what Dan had to say.
Whether it was 10 years ago in politically turbulent times for Newton, or in recent months when he knew things weren’t going his way, most of the discussion was about our families. He loved and lost Betsy and then found Ginny and loved her too. He always loved Lia. He was tremendously proud of her and the woman she has become.
We meet lots of people in our lives. Not all make good or long lasting impressions. Dan was one who did.
Newton and the people who knew him were fortunate to have had him as a friend and advocate.
I count myself among those most fortunate to have known him. I’ll miss him.
Beautiful tribute Jeff. I’m sorry for your loss.