John Patrick Day

John Patrick Day, 87 passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on April 5, 2026, after years of declining health due to Alzheimer’s disease. He was born on March 10, 1939, in Leominster, MA, the beloved only child of Marie-Jean Bergevin and William Harry Day.

John resided in Manchester, NH for many years before moving to Bowman Place Assisted Living in Bedford, NH in November, 2025. He was a proud graduate of Notre Dame High School in Fitchburg, MA and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Philosophy from Boston College, an institution he held dear throughout his life.

Following his studies, John entered the Jesuit Seminary and taught at St. George’s College in Kingston, Jamaica, from 1963 to 1966. He later earned a Master’s Degree in English from Middlebury College in Vermont and a Bachelor of Divinity from Boston Theological Institute in Cambridge, MA.

John married Catherine-Ann (Smith) in August, 1969, and they shared 56 years of marriage. Together, they created a loving and nurturing home for their son, Sean Patrick Day. They also welcomed a son, Brendan William Day, born in December 1973, who passed away one day after his birth.

John devoted 28 years to education as an English teacher at Central High School from 1969 until his retirement in 1997. He served as English Department Chairperson from 1979 to 1989. He also was a drama coach. A deeply committed educator, John was a mentor to many students and cherished them, taking great pride in seeing them succeed, often enjoying encounters with former students around town.

After retiring, John and his wife, Catherine-Ann, fulfilled a shared love of travel, exploring destinations around the world including the Holy Land, Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Jordan, Ireland, England, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Japan. He also treasured spending weeks each February escaping the cold in Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

John had a deep love of art, poetry and literature, classical and Irish folk music, musicals, concerts, Boston sports, and Notre Dame football.

He consistently put the needs of others before his own, stoically enduring illness while attentively caring for his wife, whom he affectionately called “his bride.”

A devoted son, husband, and father, John lovingly cared for his mother for many years after his father’s death, calling her daily and visiting every weekend. He lived his values through service, standing as a steadfast advocate for the poor and marginalized. Guided by compassion, John gave freely of his time, energy, and heart. He was deeply engaged in politics, using his voice and vote to promote justice, equity, and care for the vulnerable.

An active member of the New Hampshire chapter of the Boston College Alumni Association, John participated in service opportunities including serving meals at New Horizons Shelter. He also dedicated time to detention ministry, living out his lifelong commitment to service.

A devout Catholic, John was a longtime communicant at Saint Catherine’s Church in Manchester. Later in life, he was received into Grace Episcopal Church in Manchester.

John is survived by his wife, Catherine-Ann Day; his son, Sean Patrick Day, and his wife, Motoko Fujikawa Day, of Dublin, CA; and his cherished grandsons, Liam Atsushi Day of Los Angeles, CA and Colin Satoshi Day of Seaside, CA.

Calling hours will be held at Lambert Funeral Home & Crematory, 1799 Elm Street, Manchester, on Sunday, April 12, 2026 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, April 13 at Grace Episcopal Church, 106 Lowell Street, Manchester. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, 448 Donald Road, Bedford.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory may be made to Catholic Relief Services www.CRS.org/donate, the Jesuits www.Jesuits.org/donate or the Alzheimer’s Association www.ALZ.org/donate.