John Anthony Dockray

John Anthony Dockray, aged 94, died peacefully in his home in Villanova on 29 July 2023. Born in Bennington, VT, the fifth of six siblings, he moved to Philadelphia with his family  as a child and graduated from West Catholic High School in 1946. John started his career as an office boy at Westinghouse before moving into the steel pipe distribution industry. In 1959, he married Edith Weatherby, also of Philadelphia, and they moved to Houston, TX, to begin their life together while he worked for Capital Pipe. They moved back to Pennsylvania in 1965 with two small children. In 1987, he founded his own company, Radnor Alloys, with two partners; he retired in 1999.

An avid athlete, John played as a linebacker for the Kingsessing Shamrocks in the 1940s and early 1950s. By the 1970s, he had become a dedicated distance runner, finishing the Penn Relays and Philadelphia marathons and the Broad Street Run multiple times. When his knees informed him that his running career was over, he became a steadfast swimmer, hiker, and walker. Even into his 80s and early 90s, he was a familiar sight at the Upper Main Line YMCA pool and the Radnor Rail Trail.

Although John spent most of his adult years on the Main Line, he never forgot his Philadelphia roots. He was a major benefactor of West Catholic High School, St Francis de Sales grammar school, St Ignatius Nursing Home, and the St Francis Inn. He also served on the boards of the Upper Main Line YMCA and the Baldwin School.

After retirement, John and Edie travelled nationally and internationally, with a particular love for exploring the national parks. They reinvigorated their interest in duplicate bridge, playing at local, national, and international bridge clubs and tournaments. John won trophies at bridge tournaments in Chile and Hong Kong on trips that combined sight-seeing with a great way to meet fellow bridge aficionados.  He and Edie team-taught duplicate bridge lessons at Main Line School Night for many years. After her death in 2011, he continued playing until his eyesight failed in 2022.

In 2014, John married Jean Ann Benson, with whom he enjoyed playing bridge and watching Sixers and Eagles games.

John reveled in spending time with his four granddaughters. He spent hours body-surfing with them at 34th Street beach in Ocean City, playing Candy Land, singing Broadway show tunes instead of lullabies (often in Spanish), and reading all sorts of books. As they grew up, he cheered them on through sports games, music and theater performances, and high school and college graduations.

In his twilight years, John most enjoyed spending time with extended family, sharing stories about his siblings with his many nieces and nephews. He met his baby great-great-great niece at the last family reunion.

He is survived by his son Douglas Dockray; his daughter Mary Dockray-Miller; his son-in-law Michael Miller; his granddaughters Cordelia Miller, Crista Dockray, Jenna Dockray, and Bryn Miller; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Please join the Dockray family to honor and celebrate John's life on Monday October 2, 2023 at 11:30 am at Philander Chase Knox Estate, 151 Library Lane Malvern, PA. 19355. There will be a luncheon to follow.