WESTFIELD – John “Jack” Daly died peacefully at home surrounded by his family on May 24, 2025, from Alzheimer’s disease. He was born December 20, 1938, in Springfield to Thomas Daly from Castlemaine, County Kerry, Ireland and Mary Brosnan from Farranfore, County Kerry, Ireland. He was raised in Westfield and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1957.
After serving in the Massachusetts Air National Guard, he worked at the Westinghouse Corporation before joining the Westfield School Department as a custodian in 1977. He spent most of his career at his beloved Abner Gibbs Elementary School where he was a friend to all and took pride in keeping the place spotless. After retiring in 2006 he spent his time at the YMCA, the Westfield Atheneum, working bingo at St. Mary’s church, going to lunch with his friends, enjoying Sunday dinners with his family and watching the New York Yankees, his favorite team since childhood. In 2023 he was awarded the Sisters of St. Joseph Medal of Honor from St. Mary’s High School as a member of the “7 of 57” for their continuous support of their school.
He is survived by his brother Joseph Daly of Westfield, his niece Kathleen Daly of Westfield, his nephew John Daly and his wife Sylvia of Tewksbury MA, his niece Mary Elizabeth Costello and her husband Tom of Chicopee and their daughters Mary Kate Jayko and her husband Matt of Chicopee and Rosemary Costello of Chicopee, as well as many cousins in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Ireland and the UK.
He was predeceased by his sister Rosemary Pniak and her husband Chester and by his sister-in-law Marcia Daly.
His family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff at the Arbors at Westfield for enriching the last years of Jack’s life and providing care and comfort to Jack and his family in his final days.
The funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, June 5th at 11:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Calling hours will be held before the Mass on Thursday at Firtion-Adams Funeral Service, 76 Broad Street, Westfield from 9-11 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Mary’s High School, 27 Bartlett Street, Westfield, MA 01085. Firtionadams.com
