The Comet announces passing of Vice Chair and Community Leader
January 21, 2025
It is with deep sadness, that we announce the passing of our Vice Chair, John V. Furgess, Sr.
Mr. Furgess was elected as the Board’s Vice Chairman in 2022 and reelected in 2024. He concurrently served as Chair of the Service Committee. Furgess was a long-standing senior board member of The COMET and community advocate. He served on several COMET committees, including Service, Intermodal, COVID-19 and others. Furgess has also held other executive committee roles for The COMET organization, was active in the Edgewood and Waverly communities, and an ardent supporter of his alma mater, Allen University.
John V. Furgess, Sr.
COMET Board members expressed their shock and sympathy at the news. “Not only is the COMET losing a big voice on the board, but a big voice in the community as well. Mr. Furgess will be missed,” said former board member, Senator Overture Walker.
Board Chair, Allison Terracio echoed, “We all have fond memories of our Vice Chair, working and fellowshipping together during meetings. His valuable questions and input will not be forgotten.”
Executive Director, Maurice Pearl stated, “Mr. Furgess was passionate about everything he believed in. His staunch advocacy for The COMET was part of who he was. He leaves big shoes to be filled.”
Out of respect for the Furgess family and in memory of John V. Furgess, Sr., the January meeting of The COMET Board of Directors will be rescheduled for Wednesday, February 12 and will encompass January and February of 2025.
About The COMET
The COMET is a service of the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority and provides countywide public transit services on 47 fixed routes, ReFlex services, vanpool service for commuters, subsidy programs with Lyft and DART for transportation to grocery stores and at night, and ADA complementary paratransit service throughout Richland and portions of Lexington Counties. The COMET transports approximately 1.8 million passenger trips a year on a fleet of more than 90 buses, vans and trolleys. Transit services are provided under contract with RATP Dev USA, Inc., Enterprise Holdings, Lyft, and Uber. For additional The COMET information, please call (803) 255-7100, TDD/TTY: 711 through the relay service, email: [email protected] or visit www.catchthecometSC.GOV.
Catch The COMET…We Will Take You There!
