A Life Worth Remembering: James Ahern, Longtime Educator, Sports Official

Dr. James J. Ahern, a longtime educator, was also a dedicated sports official and considered himself blessed to have refereed in three state football championship games.

“He was very proud for being the referee for three IHSA state football championship games,” said his son, Tom Ahern. “For 31 years, he officiated at college and high school football and basketball games.

“He saw a lot of the great players that came out of Illinois.”

Dr. Ahern was a member for 33 years of the Central Officials Association, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in April 1986.

At the same time, Dr. Ahern was a longtime teacher and administrator with the Chicago Public Schools. He moved from teaching into administration and his first post was as assistant principal at Hirsch High School. He later was appointed principal of Bowen High School in 1979, from where he retired some years later.

As an educator and official, Dr. Ahern was a member of the North Central Visitation Committee, which evaluated area high schools; the Illinois High School Association; Chicago Teachers Union; National Congress of Parents and Teachers; and Chicago Public High Schools Athletic Association.

While at Bowen in South Chicago, Dr. Ahern was a community leader and was involved with the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce, the Mexican Community Committee, Ada S. McKinley Neighborhood House and the Chicago Police 4^th District Steering Committee.

Dr. Ahern, of Orland Park, died Friday surrounded by his family after a lengthy battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He was 86. He celebrated his 62^nd wedding anniversary with his wife, Ann, on Oct. 15.

“He was very positive right up the end,” said his son. “He had his personal life in order down to the funeral mass.”

A constant for Dr. Ahern was his Catholic faith, first as a student and later a husband and father.

While a student at Quigley Prep, he was a member of the Cathedral Choristers, the Gregorian Choir, the St. Francis Xavier Society, the Glee Club, Le Petit Seminaire’s business staff, the Monogram Club and a Beadsman.

As an alumnus, Dr. Ahern supported Quigley programs such as the St. James Chapel window restoration effort, the 50^th anniversary graduation organizing committee, and fundraising efforts over the years.

“Because he was a man of deep faith and conviction, it was important to him that his kids got a Catholic education,” said his son. Both sons attended and his daughter graduated from . All three went on to college at Marquette University, and all three earned advanced degrees.

Over the years, Dr. Ahern devoted hours of service to both St. Denis Parish and , where Dr. Ahern was a member of the Pastoral Council, building committee, a senior server, a cemetery committal minister, a minister of care, a minister of praise, a children’s liturgist, a lector and an eighth-grade teacher of religious education. He also served as a Eucharist minister at both parishes.

Survivors include his wife, Ann (nee Ferretti); daughter, Ann Marie (Richard) Geary; sons, James D. Ahern (Camille) and Thomas J. (Ahern Mary Ann); three sisters; eight grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

Visitation is today from 2-9 p.m. at . Funeral is Monday at 11:15 a.m. at St. Julie Billiart Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 811 W. Evergreen Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60642 preferred.