Producer of many films in addiction field dies at 81

Jack Fahey, whose 40-plus year career in the addiction field included producing educational films featuring pioneering influencers such as Father Joseph Martin and Joseph Pursch, died Feb. 12 after a brief illness. Fahey, 81, also had been instrumental in supporting the extensive works of his wife of 39 years, renowned addiction and trauma trainer and author Claudia Black, PhD.

Fahey produced and directed more than 25 videos, having worked on one of the first films on women and substances and also producing “Children of Denial,” the first film that addressed the challenges that children of alcoholics face. Fahey also produced some of the first television commercials for addiction treatment centers.

An obituary listed on the website of the Wickenburg Funeral Home in Arizona states, “His contributions to individuals and families impacted by addiction has been immeasurable. For those who knew Jack, they know he was passionate about his own recovery and 'that acceptance was the answer to all of our affairs.'”

It was announced earlier this year that the assets of Mac Publishing, including Black's bestselling It Will Never Happen to Me and the children's book My Dad Loves Me, were acquired by Central Recovery Press and rebranded as The Claudia Black Library.

Among Fahey's other interests were animal rescue and physical fitness; he started the company Ageless Athlete.

Donations in Fahey's memory may be made to the National Association of Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) or the Humane Society of Wickenburg. A celebration of Fahey's life will take place March 12 at Remuda Ranch's Rio Retreat.