James B Dailey

James B. Dailey Jr., 74, died October 1st, 2020. He was the son of the late James and Mary Dailey and brother of Margret Erb of Naples, Fl. He grew up on the North Side of Pittsburgh were his dad was a beloved captain with the Pittsburgh Fire Department. Over the years his children have heard many stories of tomfoolery by him and his cousins during their formative years.
After high school, Jim enlisted in the United States Marine Corps to serve his country during the Vietnam War. He was in the Marines from 1965-1971 and was in-country for almost 2 years. His family would hear very little about his time during the war, but it was obvious his experiences changed him as only war could. Jim was eventually honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in September of 1971.
In the summer of 1968, he met a woman at a dance that would sweep him off his feet. They dated for a short time before they married on September 27, 1969. He and his beloved wife, Charlene Dailey, were married for close to 30 years. Even though they divorced in 2000, they remained loving friends until the time of her death in January 2020.
Jim and his wife raised three children in Upper St. Clair, PA. (Melissa Beck, Amanda Dailey, and Jason Dailey) He spent a lot of his spare time helping coach and being a part of youth athletics. Jim is preceded in death by his daughter Mandy, who passed away in 2010. People that knew Jim best would say that he was never quite the same after her passing.
After moving from Pittsburgh to Bonita Springs, Fl in 2009, Jim would spend his remaining years spoiling his grandchildren.
Like many Vietnam veterans, Jim suffered with the mental and physical ailments that he endured because of the war. Most notably was his physical struggle from the effects of Agent Orange. However, in true marine fashion, he fought and lived an honorable life until his death.
He will be dearly missed by his family: sister Margret Erb and her children William, Colleen, and Denny, daughter Melissa Beck and her children Carly and Rex, and lastly, Jason and Ashley Dailey and their four children Janey, Emily, Jacob, and Nicholas, as well as many other family and friends.
His family would like to thank the VA Hospital of Pittsburgh, especially the doctors and nurses in the ICU Step Down Unit and UPMC Family Hospice of Canterbury. You are all exemplary at your professions. Thank you for all you do.
Semper Fi is the motto of the United States Marine Corp and translates to always faithful or always loyal. Jim did his best to embody this motto all throughout his life. He would quietly donate monthly to several veteran organizations. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to a veteran charity of your choice.
Friends welcome THURSDAY, October 8, 2020, WILLIAM SLATER II FUNERAL SERVICE, (412-563-2800) 1650 Greentree Road, Scott Twp. 15220 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial FRIDAY , October 9, 2020 at 10 a.m. S.S. SIMON & JUDE CHURCH (412-563-3189) 1607 Greentree, Scott Twp.15220. Burial will follow the service at Christ Our Redeemer Cemetery.
Once a Marine, always a Marine. Semper Fi. www.slaterfuneral.com