John “Jack” P. Kehoe, FCRH ’60, FCLC ’85, a beloved Trustee Fellow who “spared nothing of himself on behalf of Fordham,” died on June 27. He was 78 years old. 

“We have lost a great heart today. Jack Kehoe was a gentleman through and through, devoted to Fordham, and deeply generous with his time and resources,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of the University.

“He was a warm and loyal friend and mentor to me, and I will miss him more than words can say. I know the Fordham family joins me in keeping Peggy and all of Jack’s family and loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”

Born on August 5, 1938, Kehoe, a resident of New York City, first enrolled at Fordham in 1956. In 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, where he served as sergeant up until 1964, receiving an American Spirit of Honor Medal.

He received his certification in investment analysis from The New York Institute of Finance in 1960, and went on to earn his master’s degree in business policy from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business in 1979.

Named one of Irish America magazine’s “Wall Street 50,” Kehoe had a long career in corporate financial relations. As senior counselor of a global financial consultancy, The Abernathy MacGregor Group, Kehoe advised clients on matters related to transaction communications, investor relations, and crisis management.

He held a number of capital markets positions on Wall Street for over a decade with two member firms of the New York Stock Exchange before being named president of a subsidiary mutual fund management/distribution company. He also became an allied member of the New York Stock Exchange.

From 2005 to 2011, Kehoe served as a Trustee of Fordham University, where he held several leadership positions during his tenure. These included vice chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee, chair of the University Relations Committee, a member of the Board’s Executive Committee, and secretary of the Board of Trustees. In 2009, he was a recipient of the Fordham Founder’s Award.

Kehoe also served as co-chair of Fordham’s historic capital campaign, Excelsior | Ever Upward | The Campaign for Fordham, which closed in 2014, having raised $540 million.

He was elected a Trustee Fellow in 2016.

Up until his death, Kehoe also served on the Fordham College at Lincoln Center Board of Advisers and on the Executive Committee of the President’s Council.

Those close to him described him as a “devoted father, husband, and friend” who “loved Fordham and all of its people.”

“He had the strength and fortitude of his Marine Corps training, yet the empathy, compassion, and faith of a son of Ignatius,” said Fordham Trustee Fellow James E. Buckman, FCRH ’66, PAR, friend, and retired vice chairman of York Capital Management. “He spared nothing of himself on behalf of Fordham, from sharing his treasure and his time to his leadership and total commitment.”

In 2007, Kehoe became a member of the inaugural class inducted into the University’s Archbishop Hughes Society, which recognizes those individuals and institutions whose lifetime support of the University totals $1 million or more. Among Kehoe’s many contributions to the University was a generous gift to rebuild the Lowenstein Center’s Black Box Studio Theatre on the Lincoln Center campus, which was renamed the Veronica Lally Kehoe Studio Theatre in memory of his late wife, Veronica, FCLC ’02, who passed away in 2007.

At Kehoe’s request, a portion of that gift was allocated to establish a scholarship fund for Fordham students in need.

Kehoe is survived by his five children, Maura Ann, John, Kevin, Brendan, and Allise; three stepchildren Meg, Jay, and Brooke; and his wife, Peggy Brennan Hassett.

“First and foremost, I thank our generous donors,” said Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. “Their generosity, and their devotion to Fordham and its mission, have been nothing short of spectacular.

“I must also thank the campaign co-chairs, Jim Buckman, Darlene Jordan and Jack Kehoe, for their remarkable and energetic leadership,” Likewise the University owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to the entire Board of Trustees, chaired by John Tognino, and all of the campaign volunteers. Their wise counsel and tireless efforts have achieved more than we could possibly have hoped for this year,” Father McShane said.

The campaign total for scholarship support is now at 115 percent, and academic support at 101 percent of their respective goals. Alumni participation in the Annual Fund—a key indicator of support for University priorities—continued to increase, reaching 28 percent this year. The campaign total does not include a $1 million gift for scholarships from the Bloomberg Foundation, received on July 1. Before the campaign ends, the University will have to raise another $85 million for unmet needs in endowed professorships and several crucial building projects.

“I think the year we’ve had speaks to tremendous support Fordham’s mission enjoys from its alumni and friends,” said Roger A. Milici Jr., vice president for development and University relations. “We’re gratified at the amount we’ve raised this year, but its impact is more important than the number itself. Our donors care deeply about what we do here, about the students we educate—like Abraham Mercado, Fordham’s eighth Truman Scholar, and Cristina Vignone Fordham’s first Beinecke Scholar. What these numbers mean is that we can educate more students—many of whom could not otherwise afford a Fordham education—in greater depth and with cutting-edge tools and facilities.”

As the campaign total climbs, the University is seeing its tangible results: this year Fordham opened Campbell-Conley-Salice Halls; broke ground on the most ambitious capital project in its history, the first stage of which is a new Law School and undergraduate residence hall; and began the renovation of the future home of the Gabelli School of Business.

“I know the Board of Trustees joins me in congratulating Roger Milici and the entire Development and University Relations team for a year of impressive achievements—our annus mirabilis, if you will,” said Father McShane. “At the same time, we now focus on the year to come, and the work still to be done to achieve the ambitious goals that we have set for ourselves. I have every confidence that the Fordham family is up to the challenge.”