John J. Walkowiak, Sr.
John J. Walkowiak, Sr. of the Somerton section of Philadelphia, passed away on March 27, 2026, at age 69. Beloved husband of the late, Jeanette Walkowiak (nee Meade). Loving father of John J. Walkowiak, Jr., Stacy Walkowiak and the late, Christopher Walkowiak. Step-father of Michael and William Smith. Devoted Pop Pop of Michael, Kilee and Kira Smith, Lola and John Walkowiak and Brooklyn Trout. Also survived by his brother, William Walkowiak (Isabelle). Predeceased by his siblings, Ken Walkowiak (Sue), and Lynne Walkowiak-Gribben (Dennis). Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Family and friends are invited to attend his memorial gathering and funeral on Thursday, April 2nd, at McCafferty Funeral & Cremation Inc. 6711 Frankford Ave. (between Unruh & Knorr sts) You may visit and comfort John’s family during the visitation from 9:30am – 11:00am in the funeral home. There will be a prayer service starting at 11:00 am. Please omit flowers and kindly consider donations in John’s memory to American Cancer Society
Growing up on Worth Street, John was my grandparents' neighbor. I remember sneaking onto his porch and opening and closing his gate. His wife, Jeanette, used to tell me to stop playing with their gate, and when I didn't listen, John would come out. All it took was a look, and I was scared shitless. That man was scary… but after growing up, it turns out he was a big teddy bear with a green thumb and was extraordinarily good at growing vegetables. The Walkowiak family became my second family. Their loving daughter became my family, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on. It should be normalized that sometimes the best family are the ones you aren't born into. I am truly grateful and honored to have known and been loved by John and his family and he can finally be in paradise with his wife, Jeanette, and his son, Chris. Rest in peace.
Growing up on Worth Street, John was my grandparents’ neighbor. I remember sneaking onto his porch and opening and closing his gate. His wife, Jeanette, used to tell me to stop playing with their gate, and when I didn’t listen, John would come out. All it took was a look, and I was scared shitless. That man was scary… but after growing up, it turns out he was a big teddy bear with a green thumb and was extraordinarily good at growing vegetables. The Walkowiak family became my second family. Their loving daughter became my family, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on. It should be normalized that sometimes the best family are the ones you aren’t born into. I am truly grateful and honored to have known and been loved by John and his family and he can finally be in paradise with his wife, Jeanette, and his son, Chris. Rest in peace.