Joe Daly
UPDATED, Feb. 18: Known as the "dalydouble," they died two days apart.
Joseph S. Daly, a former state representative and town official, passed on peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 10. He was 89. The following Friday, his wife of 62 years, Janet Louise (Cadigan) Daly joined him.
The Arlington Housing Authority (AHA), where Joe was a member of the board until last June, plans to honor him at the Tuesday, Feb. 16, board meeting.
Board member Brian Connor told YourArlington on Feb. 14 that the board planned to be "discussing options to memorialize Joe’s life and his life long commitment to public service and public housing."
Comment
Larry Wendell, a 57-year Arlington resident, told this story about the couple:
"I did a tour of delivering prescriptions for Arlington's Stop & Shop Pharmacy, and Joe and Janet were regular customers to whom I delivered often. Daly Double was always a delight.
"When another customer did not respond to my ring at the front door of Drake Village, I could always ring the Dalys for access, and when I had a problem with an actual delivery elsewhere in the building Joe usually had an answer. I am Joe's age with a similar marital history, and while a death at our age cannot be completely unexpected, hearing of his was still a sad shock."
The Boston.com obituaries report that the DeVito Funeral Home, 1145 Mass. Ave., invited relatives and friends of both for 9 a.m. Tuesday, with a Funeral Mass to commence at 11:30 in St. Agnes Church. Interment to follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery.
Joe was a lifelong Arlington resident, the son of the late Edward and Essie Day, his obituary says.
Janet, raised in Quincy, was the daughter of the late Harriet and John Raymond Cadigan, her obituary says.
They were parents of Anne Curry and her partner, Michael Surette of Dennisport; Brenda Shea and her husband, Michael of Woburn; Linda LaSpada of Rockport and Joe Daly and his wife, Michelle, of Woburn.
Joe was the very special Papa to Glen Curry and his partner, Ed Dombroski; Matty Shea, Ashley Sosenko and her husband, Steve; Casey Shea and his fiancée, Molly McDonough; Logan LaSpada and Joe and Bryan Daly. Joe was a devoted husband, friend and neighbor. Always willing to help anyone in need.
A veteran of the Korean War, he was a former director for veterans services in Arlington, a 30-year Town Meeting member, past commander of the Arlington Legion Post 39, member of the Knight of Columbus, Disabled American Veterans and Retired Men's Club of Arlington.
Last May, the AHA board elected Joe, a Darke Village tenant, as its chairman, the first time since its founding nearly 72 years ago. His term ended when he lost reelection to Jo Anne Preston. The 1951 Arlington High graduate was an AHS Hall of Famer.
Janet was a devoted mother, friend and neighbor. Her family was the center of her life. She was an "all Boston" sports fan, in particular, her beloved Celtics.
The families of both ask that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress, 20 Burlington Mall Road, No. 261, Burlington, Mass. 01803.
Jan. 4, 2021:
Norine T. Casey, 92: Operated Bartlett School
This news summary was published Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, and updated Feb. 18, to add comment.
Do you have memories of the Dalys' service to Arlington? Send them to sprague.bob at gmail.com, include your full name and how you knew them.
