Hundreds mourn Metra leader Pagano

Politicians and neighbors, transit executives and labor union representatives made up the varied crowd that gathered Wednesday in Crystal Lake to remember Metra Chief Phil Pagano, 60.

Metra officials were investigating alleged financial misconduct involving Pagano and both federal and local authorities were intervening in the probe when he stepped in front of a train Friday.

"If you knew Phil Pagano, you liked him. If you worked with him, you respected him. It's a tremendous loss," Metra Director Jack Schaffer said.

"There was no substitute for success with Phil and he instilled that in all of us," former Metra Deputy Executive Director Rick Tidwell said.

Described as a consummate railroad man who knew the Metra system inside and out, Pagano's down-to-earth manner wasn't that of a typical CEO. Colleagues admired how he built Metra from an underused railroad to a system with 11 lines that provided 82 million rides in 2009.

But friends also spoke of his love for his family and joked about his passion for golf.

"He had his family first in his heart," Tidwell said. "I just hope that the world will treat him fairly now he's gone."

Mourners at the Davenport Family Funeral Home included state Sen. Martin Sandoval, transportation committee chairman, heads of the Regional Transportation Authority, Chicago Transit Authority and Pace, executives with major railroads and unions and Metra directors and staff.