- Welcome to Sweeney and Beverly Life Celebration Services, where we Celebrate the Color of Life.
John C. Wade
John was always in motion. For work he had done a little of everything. He started out as a mechanic for Willis Volkswagen and eventually became the service manager. Later years found him selling Snap-on Tools and eventually driving a bus for senior citizens: the ladies loved him. When he wasn’t working, he was most likely volunteering his time with the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Charities and driving people to their doctor’s appointments. And he got to see the world: he drove across the country, took many a cruise and travelled across Europe. Out of High School he joined the Navy to fight for our freedoms in North Korea, but remained state side: he joked that he only made it as far as the docks. He was a lifelong fan of the Eagles and the Phils. His later years found him at Brightview Nursing Home where he became the unofficial greeter, positioning himself as the familiar face by the front door.
He met a pretty girl in high school, the late Alberta. They shared a 64-year marriage blessed by two children, the late Catherine Phelps (nee Wade) and John (Kathy) Wade and later by grandchildren, Sara Phelps (Scott Ketterer), John (Ericka) Wade, the late Daniel Wade and a great granddaughter, Athena Wade.
Come celebrate 90 great years Friday 8-10 a.m. at Sweeney Funeral Home, Beverly. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 a.m. at Jesus the Good Shepherd Parish, St. Joseph’s Church, Beverly. Interment Monument Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) will be appreciated.
2 Comments
Sorry to hear of John’s passing. Alberta and I were cousins from Shenandoah Pa. I remember their wedding and reception in Stone’s hall in Shenandoah as if it were yesterday. My prayers are with John and his family in this time of sorrow.
Mr. Wade always seemed to be such a calm, pleasant person. I was friends with both Cathy and John, so I spent some of my teen years at their happy home on South Harrison Avenue. I always looked up to him and his wife, Mrs. Wade. I will never forget how kind they both were to let Cathy take me and another friend with them on the ride to Georgia, where we attended John’s graduation from boot camp. My father always enjoyed Mr. Wade’s company, too, and they were both in the Knights of Columbus at St. Joseph’s. Both of them were sociable but not big talkers, so they worked together well. I will never forget how the Wade’s formally came to call on my parents when they learned my father’s cancer was terminal. My father was very touched by that, as was my mother and I. We will miss your affable smile, Mr. Wade, but now you are reunited with Mrs. Wade again. Please hug Cathy for me. xo