FRANK GILDAY

Dr. Frank G. Gilday,

Jr.,

Dr. Frank G. Gilday, Jr., age 88 of Hockessin, DE, died quietly in his sleep on Sunday, November 5, 2006 at Manor Care Health Services, Pike Creek.

Dr. Gilday was born in Mayfield, PA, on December 19, 1917, son of the late Frank and Kathryn (O'Hora) Gilday. He graduated with honors from the University of Scranton in Scranton, PA, with baccalaureate degrees in chemistry and biology and later obtained a Master's degree with honors in biology from the University of Maine. In 1944, he received his MD from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA. After graduating from medical school. Dr. Gilday served as a Captain in the United States Army from 1945-1947 with a military occupational specialty of "surgeon". He was in private practice in Wilmington as an allergist, with a specialty in pulmonary airway disease. During his distinguished professional career, Dr. Gilday served as National Secretary of the National Association of Chest Physicians and Chief of Staff at St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington. At Jefferson Medical College, he served in several important capacities. He was an Assistant Professor of Medicine and served on the school admissions committee. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Gilday performed many humanitarian services, both at Jefferson and in his private practice. For over 30 years he performed charitable work at the Jefferson free clinic, traveling from Wilmington to Philadelphia to donate 1 day a week treating poor and indigent patients. In his private practice, he never refused treatment to patients who could not afford medical care. Dr. Gilday was a world class marathon swimmer and won numerous national swimming events in the 1930's. In 1937, he won the prestigious "President's Swimming Cup" in Washington, DC, and established himself as one of the greatest swimmers of the era. He is in the process of being recognized and honored at the Swimming Hall of Fame in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Gilday enjoyed hunting and fishing, as well as spending time at his beach home in Avalon, NJ. He was also a fan of baseball, especially the Philadelphia Phillies.

His first wife, Marie T. (McCullin) Gilday, died in 1991, and his second wife, Anita (Argust) Gilday, died in 1998. Dr. Gilday is survived by his sons, Frank J. Gilday III, and his wife, Margaret, Kevin P, Gilday, and his wife, Ria, Eugene Gilday, and his wife, Roxanne, Michael A. Gilday, and his wife, Michelle, and Christopher Gilday, and his friend, Joanne Cunningham; his daughter. Bonnie M. Gilday; 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 7200 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, on Friday, November 10 at 10:30 am. Entombment will follow in All Saints Cemetery. Family and friends may call at the DOHERTY FUNERAL HOME, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek on Thursday, November 9, from 6-8 pm.

Donations in Dr. Gilday's memory may be made to Thomas Jefferson University, The Jefferson Foundation, 925 Chestnut Street, Suite 110, Philadelphia, PA 19107.

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please visit

www.dohertyfh.com

302-652-6811