Obituary of Joseph J. Fiday
Joseph “Jay” Fiday passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on March 11, 2022, at the Lightways Hospice of natural causes.
Jay was born on December 10, 1926. After a short stint in high school, Jay worked to support his family then joined the Navy. After his tour he married the love of his life Vera Lou [Lulu] McCalla on November 22, 1947, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Plainfield. They were blessed with four children.
Jay had a series of marvelous careers in his long 95 years. He and his brother Bill owned a Standard gas station and saved enough money to build Sunnyland Tavern, a fun place to meet and make friends in its day. Jay went on to be a heavy equipment operator for 50 years in Midwest Operating Engineers Local 150. He also owned several laundromats, sold Christmas trees for several years, and delivered firewood with son Don, Vera, friends and family, and many grandchildren for 28 years. Jay created Country Boy Lawn Care with son Don. When he retired from Country Boy Don took over. Jay had three retirements: from Local 150, from Country Boy and after 28 years he retired from delivering firewood so Don could take over!
Jay and Vera were snowbirds at their retirement home in Tarpon Springs, Florida from December to Spring. In their shared lifetimes they had many travels: 40th anniversary in Hawaii, Niagara Falls, gambling trips to many cities. Vera loved her penny and nickel slots! Highlight #1: Rose Bowl Parade with cousins! After hosting thousands of Christmases and family parties at 3115 Fiday Road, Jay and Vera moved to Channahon where they made new friends. Jay and Vera were faithful members of the Joliet Moose for many years, Don was a waiter and the grandchildren enjoyed many hours of swimming. After Vera’s death in 2011 Jay moved to the Timbers where he continued to make new friends and enjoy the Timber party life. He enjoyed dazzling friends with his hats and festive attire. They will miss him tremendously. We all will. May this obituary bring to mind many, many memories you all shared with Dad, Pa Joe, Jay, and Uncle Jay!
Leaving a large void in the family, Jay will be deeply missed by his children, David Fiday, Deborah (James) Theobald, and Donald (Lucy Seiler) Fiday, his sister-in-law Velma [Druel] Parker AKA Letha, grandchildren Jennifer (Dennis) Waller, Michelle (Tim) Schaefer, Jessica (Matt) Kirkpatrick, Melissa (Adam) Zilske, Andrew Fiday, and Jacqueline Fiday, and six beloved great-grandchildren [and one on the way!] Ava and Ethan Waller, Brooklynn Schaefer, Aidan, Avery, and Annabelle Kirkpatrick, and many greatly beloved nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great nephews who shared in his awesome long, and blessed life in so many ways. For them, he will always be Uncle Jay.
Preceded in death by his beloved wife Vera Lou and sweet daughter Denise; parents Joseph and Anna (Pershey) Fiday and siblings: Raymond (Mernie) Fiday, Donald (Mary) Fiday, Lillian Ann Fiday [(Joseph) Lyman, (Frank) Denneaux, and Bill (Millie) Fiday.
Visitation for Jay Fiday will be Wednesday, March 16, 2022, at the Fred C. Dames Funeral Home 3200 Black Rd. (at Essington Rd.), Joliet, from 4-7 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 9:30 a.m. from the funeral home chapel to St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, Plainfield where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Lightways Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle Joliet, IL 60431 in memory of Jay Fiday in thanksgiving for the kindness and love showed to dad when he and mom were there. For more information, please call (815) 741-5500 or you may visit his Memorial Tribute at www.fredcdames.com where you can share a favorite memory or leave an online condolence.
