Noble John "Jack" Dilday, Jr.

Noble John Dilday, Jr.

August 28, 1942 – October 23, 2017

Jack Dilday, a lifelong resident of Long Beach, California, passed away peacefully on Monday, October 23, 2017, at the age of 75, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.

A third generation Californian, Jack was the eldest of four children born to N. Jack Dilday and Pauline L. DeArmond. He made dozens of lasting friendships in local schools, attending Longfellow Elementary, Hughes Junior High, and Long Beach Polytechnic High School (Class of 1960), where he was a proud Jackrabbit and enthusiastic member of the car club.

Growing up around the family business, Dilday Family Funeral Service firms, Jack was industrious and compassionate from a young age. During his school years, he maintained a full work schedule, beginning with sweeping in the flower shop and driving the ambulance. He was president of his graduating class at the California College of Mortuary Science, and later earned his bachelor’s degree in public speaking from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), where he was president (Eminent Archon) of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.

In 1972, Jack made a bid for State Assembly (39th district), where he fielded a call from then-Governor Ronald Reagan and friends coined the campaign motto “Have a Happy Dilday.” In 1975, he landed in his chosen professional field, investments.

After graduating from the New York Institute of Finance, Jack’s 42-year career as an investment advisor began with his practice at Blyth, Eastman Dillon & Co. in Los Angeles. He went on to found the Long Beach area offices for Shearson Hayden Stone, Smith Barney, Sutro & Co., and RBC Wealth Management, where he was senior vice president and directed The Dilday Group with his late brother, Randolph Dilday. At each of those firms, Jack was named to the Chairman’s Council in recognition of his professional standards. In 2012, he founded Dilday & Associates, affiliated with First Financial Equity Corporation. There, Jack managed the portfolios of hundreds of clients – who became his friends – in more than 20 states.

Jack was a civic leader dedicated to serving his community. He was the 29th Chairman of the Metropolitan YMCA of Greater Long Beach, which governs six YMCA locations, and was most proud to teach public speaking at the YMCA Youth Institute. Additionally, he was a member of the Long Beach Memorial Medical Center Board of Directors and the board of the Memorial Medical Center Foundation.

Jack also served his alma mater, CSULB, as chair of the President’s Association, and a member of the Board of Governors. Additionally, he had been chairman of the board for the Rancho Los Cerritos Foundation, and president of the Long Beach Junior Chamber of Commerce. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.

At the time of his passing, Jack was a director for International City Bank, and a trustee for The Joan M. Wismer Foundation.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brother, Randolph Dilday.

Jack is survived by his wife of nearly 34 years, Susan (née Pratt), and beloved daughters Joy Wonsowicz (40)(Pavel) of Los Angeles, Julia Dilday (32) of Chicago, Dr. Elizabeth Dilday (30) of Dallas, son Noble John Dilday III (28), and grandchildren, Eva (10) and Charles (7) Wonsowicz. Jack is also survived by his sister Pamela Davis (Chris) of Santa Barbara, CA, and brother Steven Dilday (Christina) of Garden Grove, CA, as well as his father-and-mother-in-law Walter and Harriet Pratt, of Minneapolis. Jack’s passing will also be felt by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, whom he loved dearly.

A devoted father, husband, and friend, Jack will be deeply missed by his family and “pals.”  In his life, he prized loyalty above all else, and gave as much as he expected. He lived life fully every day, abiding by his favorite saying, “Don’t worry about the mule, just load the wagon.”

Private family services were held last week.

Donations in Jack’s memory are requested to the YMCA of Greater Long Beach (Camp Oakes Camperships Fund/Youth Institute), 3605 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite 210, Long Beach, CA 90807, or Las Floristas, c/o Rancho Los Amigos Foundation, P.O. Box 2370, Downey, CA 90242.

Luyben Dilday Mortuary (562) 425-6401