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Obituary for John Lovewell Day
John L. Day, age 93, passed gently into pure love on the evening of October 3, 2016. He was born September 13, 1923 in Arlington MA and lived most of his life in Jackson, MS. At the time of death, he was residing in Atlanta near his son and daughter-in-law, and died with grace and dignity. At this moment he sits at the Fenway Park of his dreams watching Ruth, Williams and other Hall of Famers, and word has it they¹ve even invited a few NY Yankees to play along. His heavenly welcoming committee included many jazz greats  composers, musicians and singers Âplaying some of his favorite tunes including ³Stella by Starlight², ³All the things You Are² and ³Every time we Say Goodbye².
John served in the US Navy during WWII. He attended Harvard University and eventually graduated from Clark University in Worcester, MA. Mr. Day retired in 1993 at age 70 from a multi-decade career with Marion Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals as a professional sales representative. After retirement, he stayed active by volunteering at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and playing golf with his friends at Canton Country Club well into his eighties.
Retirement afforded him more time to follow the bliss he found in music  particularly classical jazz. His piano in collaboration along with his friend¹s instruments gave his life a certain magic and beauty. Such beauty he found elsewhere only in his wife Ann, who preceded him by two years in death. After Ann¹s death, he continued playing with the New Bourbon Street Jazz Band and other ³gigs² until six months prior to passing. Both he and Ann are now reunited with parents John and Dorothy Day, Tom Warner and Emma Burchfield. Mr. Day leaves behind an only son  John Day Jr. of Atlanta, and younger siblings Dorothy Ellis, Robert Day and Lois Butterfield all of Massachusetts.
Though he outlived many of his friends, John Day lived life by the motto the only way to have a friend is to be a friend². He was generous in spirit, quick to laughter, likeable and humble. While he grew up in the Northeast and adored his family and Cape Cod home, he adopted his friends in Mississippi as family also. And they in turn adopted him. He will be madly missed by many.
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