John Danby Cahoon, age 74, devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, peacefully passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024, after a heroic battle with an illness. Born in Wilmington, DE, he was a graduate of Mount Pleasant High School in 1967. He received his BS in Business Administration from University of Delaware in 1971 while serving in the ROTC program. He was honorably discharged in 1972.
From an early age John was never one to sit still. Spending summers in Brigantine with his parents and friends provided much joy and led to meeting the love of his life, Gerrie Reckless, on his parent’s boat in 1969. It was love at first sight. John and “Gege” married on October 28, 1972, and after setting down in North Wilmington, they welcomed their only child, John, born in 1978. In 1986 he purchased a second home for his family in Ocean City, New Jersey and dedicated every summer to the beach and water. After various careers, John landed a job in at Boeing as a purchasing manager and remained there until his retirement in 2014. He was very proud of his involvement with the Chinook helicopter program.
Through the years, John lived vicariously through others and his strongest lifelong passions were those of family and friends. He especially loved to follow his son through all his adventures whether at sea, attending Philadelphia sporting events, or trips to see the Rolling Stones which was his favorite band. John was an avid fisherman and his son followed in his footsteps. Their expeditions at sea in their 23 ft Sea Ray were legendary and always provided a fresh seafood dinner after a hard day at sea.
Johns unique sense of repetitiveness and subtle humor always made his family and friends laugh and will be profoundly missed. He was an endlessly loving husband and parent who selflessly showed his love by always helping his family. This was exemplified, particularly in retirement, by continuously picking up goods at BJ’s, Shoprite, or Trader Joes. He loved the outdoors and his pet Shih Tzu, Taffy, with all his heart. She was his little girl, and he spent every day taking her for walks at parks throughout Wilmington. His grandson Owen, born in 2008, was his pride and joy. From the first moment he found out he was going to be a grandfather, his heart filled with joy. Whether it was holidays, school activities, Phillies games, Disney World, or the shore, he always loved spending time with his grandson and watching him grow.
John was predeceased by his father, Walter S. Cahoon and mother, Ellen B. Cahoon. He is survived by his wife, Gege; his son John (wife Anna); his grandson Owen; his sister Terri Sheldon (Bob) and many other nieces and nephews.
A “Celebration of Life & Memorial Service” will be held on Saturday May 18th at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard, 1530 Foulk Rd. Wilmington, DE. Visitation will be 10:00-11:00 AM and services will immediately follow. A luncheon will also be at the church after the services are concluded.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Lutheran Church of the Good Shepard.
