Edward J. Fesco

Edward John Fesco of La Salle passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.  

Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Church in LaSalle on Friday, May 24th at 2:00 PM. Visitation will be at St. Patrick’s Church from 11:30 AM until the time of services. The mass will be officiated by Father Gregory Jarzombek, OSB of St. Bede Abbey. Burial will be at St. Vincent’s Cemetery. Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle is assisting his family with arrangements. 

Ed was born on July 10, 1930 in Tarrytown, NY to John and Mary (Lantosh) Fesco. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Villanova University. He received his Masters of Science in Anatomy and Doctor of Medicine degrees from Northwestern University in Chicago. Ed met his late wife, Anne (Condron) Fesco when he was an intern at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chicago and she was a nurse at Northwestern University Medical Clinic. Anne and Ed were married at St. Columba Church in Ottawa on May 26, 1956. 

Ed completed his residency in general surgery at Edward Hines Jr. V.A. Hospital. Ed served with the United States Air Force following his residency. He served as a Captain and Chief of Surgery at Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia for two years.

Ed, Anne, and their first four children moved to La Salle in 1963. About the move, he said, “A wise doctor practices where his wife wants to live.” He began his general private practice in La Salle while continuing to specialize in surgery. He eventually formed the first surgical group in the area. During his 60 plus year medical career in the Illinois Valley, he performed surgeries at Mendota, Princeton, St. Margaret’s, Peoples (IVCH), and St. Mary’s Hospitals. 

Throughout his career, Ed was active in organized medicine. He served as president of the Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS) in 1987 and a was a dedicated member and leader of the La Salle County Medical Society. He served as an ISMS Trustee-at-Large for many years representing physicians from 12 counties in the ISMS House of Delegates. Ed was a member of the state’s delegation to the American Medical Association. Ed nurtured a life-long commitment to education throughout his life that eventually led him to become involved in the Interstate Postgraduate Medical Association where he and Anne made many friends and traveled throughout the country to keep up-to-date on advances in healthcare. 

Medicine was definitely his vocation. He loved it and despite the many interrupted dinners and events, many late-night trips to area hospitals, and countless house calls, he never complained – at least not to his family. 

Ed served as president and was a long-time member of the LP High School Board. He served on St. Patrick’s Church Parish Council for many years. 

Soon after settling in La Salle, Ed and Anne purchased a cabin in Hancock, Wisconsin. He cherished his time at the cabin with family and friends. His love extended beyond his immediate family to many other valued friendships that grew during summers at the cabin. 

Ed had many interests outside of his medical career. He spent a lot of time in canoes and rafts traveling miles of rivers in Wisconsin and Illinois. He enjoyed music of many genres. He and Anne were season ticket holders of the Lyric Opera in Chicago but in addition to opera and classical music he loved John Prine, Dr. Hook, and the Beatles. Gardening became a passion of his, and he not only planted flower and vegetable gardens at his home and cabin, he planted flowers outside of the Emergency Room at IVCH for a number of years. He was a certified SCUBA diver, a stained-glass artist, and a long-time rock painter. He loved to hike and bike and shared his interest of our area’s state parks with his children. He was an excellent teacher of life lessons—how to light a campfire with one match, identify flora and fauna, and what to do in pretty much every dangerous situation from quicksand to the car being submerged in water (at that time —roll down the window, allow the car to fill with water, then swim to the surface.) He also shared his love of Chicago with his children. Many weekends were spent exploring Chicago’s nooks and crannies from Piper’s Alley to museums, theaters, lakefront festivals, and art fairs.  

He loved people and valued his diverse group of friends and family including the Condrons, Dr. Tom Curry, Madeline Mauro and many others. He and Anne’s doors were always open to friends.

The family is so thankful to Ed’s youngest daughter, Beth who stepped-up to become his full-time care-giver the last few years of his life. Her commitment and care allowed him to continue living in his home and maintain as much independence as possible.

He is survived by his children, John, Nora, Carol, and Beth Fesco of LaSalle; his grandsons, Michael (Elizabeth) Williams, Carlo Ballerine, Darren and Corey Fesco; and three great grandsons, Kayden, Kerry, and Kane Williams. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Anne (Condron) Fesco, his parents, and daughters Mary Williams and Eileen Fesco.

Memorials may be directed to Horizon House of Illinois Valley, Inc. and St. Bede Academy.

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