S.J. Rev. Frederick Philip Zagone

S.J. Rev. Frederick Philip Zagone ObituaryVisit the Becker Ritter Funeral Home & Cremation Services - Brookfield website to view the full obituary.The Rev. Frederick Philip Zagone passed away on March 10, 2026, after a gallant battle with cancer at the age of 67.Father Zagone was born April 30, 1958, and raised in Steger, Illinois where he attended St. Liborius Grade School, Marian Catholic High School and Prairie State College in Chicago Heights, IL; and the American Floral Art School in Chicago. Fred's family owned and lived upstairs of the Steger Flower Shop in Steger. After attending Loyola University in Chicago and earning his bachelors' degree at the University of San Francisco, Fred entered the Chicago Province (now the USA Midwest Province) of the Jesuits (the Society of Jesus) in 1981.During his Jesuit studies, Fred worked at Loyola University in Chicago and Xavier University in Cincinnati. While a student at the Westin School of Theology (now the Clough School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College), Fred served as a deacon at St. Camillus Church in Arlington, MA.Following his ordination to the Roman Catholic Priesthood in 1993, Fred began ministry at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania where he served as Director of Development and Residence Hall Minister. In 1998, Fred began the longest tenure of his career at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Fred began as the director of Development for the John P. Raynor, S.J., Library (opened in 2003). He served as Assistant to the Vice President of University Advancement, Acting Vice President of Mission and Ministry, and completed his career at Marquette as the University Chaplain. Fred was a Hall Minister his entire time at Marquette and served as Minister (house manager) to the Jesuit Community.Fred was proud that he had visited the campuses of all 28 (now 27) Jesuit colleges and universities in the USA. Fred loved domestic travel, the beach, and spending time with the hundreds of Marquette alumni and friends he met along the way. In 2019 Fred was honored by the Jesuit Advancement Administrators Association for his commitment to development in higher education. He was further recognized by Marquette and the USA Midwest Province for his commitment to the mission and ministry of Jesuit higher education.Fred is survived by his Brothers in the Jesuit Community, his siblings: Jim (the late Mary) Zagone of Janesville, WI; Carmella (the late Burt) Foster of Spring Park, MN; Margie (Barry) Zamzow of Boise, ID; Joe (Marielle) Zagone of Steger, IL; Rosanne Zagone of St. Louis, MO; and his special cousin Marlene Holman (Billie Groff) of Gainesville, FL. Fred is also survived by 13 nieces and nephews and 24 grand nieces and nephews. All loved family gatherings and water skiing at the house in Delavan, WI. The weekly family Zoom, (started during Covid in 2020) included cousins Mary Kay Ingalls, Rev. Jack Long, and family friend Rhonda Patten Glew.Fred was proceeded in death by multiple Jesuits and mentors; his parents, Joseph and Juliette Marcotte Zagone; his nephew Zacariah Busch; his fish fry buddy of almost 40 years, Margaret Gregg; and relatives and friends too numerous to mention.Visitation for Father Zagone will be at the Church of the Gesu, 1145 W. Wisconsin Ave., in Milwaukee from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. on Friday, March 27, with words of Remembrance at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial. Private internment will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Milwaukee.In lieu of flowers, memorials to Marquette University are appreciated.Read The Full ObituaryTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.