John F. Day

DAY, John F. of Willow Grove, surrounded by his family, rode into the sunset on the afternoon of

Monday, October 9, leaving behind his devoted wife of 62 years, Barbara (Santagata), his daughter Patti

and her husband Ed Davis of Philadelphia, his son Chris and his wife Kelly (Crossman) of Flourtown, and

son Michael and his wife Lisa (Menichello) of Oreland. He lived under the alias “Poppy” as he was known

to his seven grandchildren: Jennifer and Laura Davis, Jack, Katie, and Emmie Day, and Isabella and

Brianna Day. John “Friendly” as he was known to others was the favorite brother-in-law of Denise

Santagata, and the favorite uncle of Linda Roberts and Barbara Wisser (Roberts), Tom Sexton, Sean

Sexton, and Nicolle DiPretoro (Sexton). Like the heroes of his favorite westerns, he journeys to reunite

with those who ventured away before him. Born in his Glenside home on April 16, 1935 to Nora (O’Neill)

and John P. Day, he was the third of four children and the last survivor of Rita (Roberts), Sr. Mary Teresa

Day, S.N.D. de N, and younger brother, Robert. He also survived his brother-in-law and dear friend Phil

Roberts and nephew Steve Roberts, both formerly of Glenside. John was an alter server and chorister at

St. Luke’s Catholic School and a graduate of Cheltenham High School (’52), whereafter he worked as a

civil engineer with George B. Mebus Inc. before entering the Army in 1956. He served in the 24 th Infantry

Division, and the 1 st Cavalry Division in Korea through 1958. Following an honorable discharge at the

rank of Sergeant, he began a nearly 40-year career with PECO Energy as a natural gas technician. During

one special night in 1959, he and his best friend, Joe Delzingaro, each met the love of his life at the

Sinatra Room in Ardsley, PA. John married Barbara Santagata on October 14, 1961. He was passionate

about his family ancestry, Irish heritage, old westerns and war movies, and his faith. He excelled in

mathematics and had a seemingly photographic memory of every area street, road, and highway. He

was an avid collector of coins and antique firearms, and made friends wherever he went, including

Abington/Jefferson Hospital where he recently charmed his excellent caregivers. But above all else, he

was devoted to his wife whose Italian cooking he credited for his enhanced physique, and who was at

his bedside every day. Visitation will be held at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ardsley on Monday,

October 16 from 9:30AM-10:30AM, followed immediately by a mass of Christian burial. Burial will take

place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Cheltenham Township, at high noon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, Ohio Province Office, 701

E. Columbia Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45215-3999.