John Egan
01/31/1939 - 07/21/2022
John "Johnny" Francis Egan, Father, Grandfather, Coach and friend to many passed away on Thursday, July 21st, 2022 at the age of 83 in Houston, TX. He was born on January 31st, 1939, in Hartford, CT to Bridie Garvey Egan and Patrick Egan, both hardworking Irish immigrants. John grew up on Branford St. in Hartford, Connecticut, with siblings, Kay, and Edward. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Grimaldi on August 22nd, 1964.

John would spend long hours developing his basketball skills at Keney Park against players twice his size. During his years at Weaver High School, he along with teammates, Robert Countryman, Ted McBride, Russ Carter and John Sullivan led the Beavers to an undefeated season and the New England championship. John was awarded All American Honors in 1957 and is considered one of the greatest players in Connecticut basketball history.

John attended his beloved Providence College where he teamed up with Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkins to put the Providence Basketball program on the map. In 1961, he led the Friars to a NIT championship in Madison Square Garden. He earned several honors during his college career, including Honorable Mention All-American accolades (1959) and Second Team All-American distinction (1961). After graduating with a degree in Economics he was drafted into the NBA by the Detroit Pistons as the 12th overall pick and played eleven seasons for six teams (Pistons, Knicks, Bullets, Lakers, Cavaliers and the Rockets). Highlighted by making the NBA finals in 1969 with the Los Angeles Lakers. He invented a shot that Lakers announcer Chick Hearn dubbed the 'alley-oop" that is now referred to as a tear drop or floater. At 5'11" he could dunk the ball from a standing start earning the nickname "Space" and perfected his shot over the likes of Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell. During his NBA playing career, he would animatedly declare that "no one could block his shot," and he would prove it with an alley-oop over the league's big men.

He went on to coach the Houston Rockets for four seasons, from 1972-1976 and led the Rockets to their first ever playoff series win against the Knicks. His passion was helping people – as a teacher of basketball fundamentals. He encouraged young people in clinics at the YMCA; was an advocate for his fellow NBA alumni as the first President of the Houston Chapter of the NBA Retired Players Association; a good neighbor as the head of his neighborhood association; a friend organizing a group to help people in the community from his local Starbucks; and a mentor to his five grandchildren and many others. He was an active player, inventor, coach, teacher, advocate, good neighbor, friend, and mentor. Always in terrific physical shape, John's routine included dozens of finger-tip push-ups, basketball, yoga, and golf through his seventies and into his eighties.

John is preceded in death by his wife, Joan Frances Grimaldi Egan and sister Kathleen "Kay" Shoaf. He is survived by brother, Edward Egan, son John Egan Jr, daughter Kimberly Egan Gonzalez, daughter-in-law Kristen Egan, son-in-law George Y. Gonzalez and grandchildren Alexandra, Briana, Nicolas, Jet "John III" and Elizabeth; and many nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial for John will be on Friday July 29th, 2022 at 2:00 pm. The mass will be at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 1801 Sage Road, Houston, TX 77056, with a reception to follow at the Flora (fka The Dunlavy), 3422 Allen Parkway, Houston, TX 77019. A private Rite of Committal with the family will be at Glenwood Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.earthmanhunterscreek.com for the Egan family.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle on Jul. 28, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for John Egan

Sponsored by Earthman Hunters Creek Funeral Home.

10 Entries

Dave Fairman

March 16, 2025

Rest in Peace Johny

Debbie Solomon Keese

June 13, 2024

So sad to hear about Johnny. My father, Bob Solomon, was his biggest fan who would travel to the ends of the earth to watch him play. I believe I met him at the Jewish Community Center when he was with my father, I was very young. He like my dad will be truly missed. Maybe they are in heaven shooting baskets together.

Joel Millstein

September 21, 2022

I´m so sorry to hear about John. He was one of my best buddies. He was truly amazing, if you could have Eddie call me when he has a chance my phone is 608-206-9250. Please give his children and grand children my condolences.

Frank Desmond fdesmo2107@yahoo .com

August 20, 2022

Was a senior in 1960.HS. My team went to Cousy´s camp and John was my coach.I was his best player and he told me to run and shoot every time I was open.I was open 4 times in a row,making all4.Cousy keeping score yelled,heh red,you going to ever pass the ball John backed me up telling Cousy he told me what to do. Great guy. Frank. Condolences to you and family. Frank

A. Lee Martin `57

July 30, 2022

Our sincere condolences. Cherish the wonderful memories of a life well lived.

Donna Kouwe

July 28, 2022

I´m sorry to learn of John´s death. He was such a kind and witty man. I also still think about Joan, often!

Michael Macchi

July 28, 2022

On the options of "how do you know John Egan?" on this page, I hit the 'family' button. Though we weren't related by blood, my late father knew my "Uncle" John and my "Aunt" Joan since the 1950s. I've known my "cousins" John, Jr and Kimberly since we were in diapers. Growing up, I had no idea that "uncle John" had been pushed to 7 games in the NBA Finals against the Knicks just weeks prior to our families vacationing in Lake George, NY. My heart broke when the news came, and it's breaking a little more knowing I cannot make the trip from CT to Houston tomorrow to pay my respects and give hugs to John and Kim for their immeasurable loss. I feel like I lost another piece of my dad last week, and I will miss the laughs that came with almost every text I received from my uncle John. He was so good to my mother: she's already been missing the weekly phone calls he'd make to check in on her. He was a mensch and will never be forgotten. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and the many friends he left behind. Last week, I texted one of those friends, who I met through his going to Providence College with John and my father, when the news came because I knew he was shattered as he was very, very close to Egan. He texted back, and one sentence stood out: "I am trying to imagine a world without Johnny Egan in it." That's the impact this wonderful man had on so many. I am trying as well......

Jackie Mitchell Barrows

July 28, 2022

Your memories will last forever
Weaver High Class of '57

George Zalucki-Big "Z"

July 28, 2022

John and I, competed against each other in high school. I played for Hartford Public and John for Weaver high school. We could never beat Weaver as long as John play there. We were born hours apart, he on the 31st January and me on February 1at 1939. After serving in the US Marine Corps I was back in Hartford working construction and playing basketball in the city park department league. My high school coach, a former NBA player called Coach Malone to recommend me as a great rebounder. Mulaney went to Egan an asked if John knew of my abilities. John said,and I quote, " get him he´s an animal off the boards"
I thank John for my 4 year scholarship to P.C AND THE SUCCESS I have achieved in business and in life.
As great as John was as a player , he was even greater as a human being. When I heard of his passing, I broke down in tears. John and I were close friends throughout the years. I will miss him but I am certain that he is in total peace in heaven with Joan and all his many friends who have passed.
You´re respectful and admiring friend, and teammate , 1961 NIT Champions , Big "Z"

Jos. Jackson

July 28, 2022

John's family;

Peace be still...

JJax

Showing 1 - 10 of 10 results