John M. Welday

John M. Welday, 57, of Toronto, OH, passed away suddenly while celebrating with friends and family on July 3, 2016.

John was born in Steubenville, OH on June 3, 1959. He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Helen (Mudron) Welday.

John was a 1977 graduate of Toronto High School. While in high school, John was a talented football player in which he received All-State first team honors and went on to receive a full scholarship to Penn State University.

Throughout his life he continued to be devoted to the world of sports where he worked as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Penn State and a head strength and conditioning coach for Dartmouth University. John was also the head strength and conditioning coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins for 17 years during which the team won back-to-back Stanley Cup Championships in 1991 and 1992.

John was currently the head strength and conditioning coach for Duquesne University. Throughout his career, John made significant contributions to Toronto High School as an assistant football coach and a generous supporter of THS athletics.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Toronto, where he enjoyed spending time with his friends. John was a loving husband and father, avid Pirate Fan and enthusiastic story teller. He was a lover of all bodies of water and enjoyed paling around with his black Labrador ‘Puck’.

John is survived by his wife, Jodi (Hawkins) Welday of 33 years and his two children, Jared Welday (girlfriend Ashley Clements) of Pittsburgh, PA and Jordan Welday of Steubenville. He is also survived by his two sisters, Lorrie (Matt) Phillips of New Philadelphia, OH and Kathy (Karl) Oprisch of Massillon, OH as well as many nieces and nephews.

Visitation for John will be held on Wednesday, July 6 from 2-4 & 6-8 pm at the J.E. Foster Funeral Home 701 Findley St. in Toronto. Additional visitation will be held on Thursday morning at the funeral home from 9 am til 9:30 am. John’s Funeral Liturgy with Mass will follow on Thursday at 10 am at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church in Toronto. Fr. Thomas Vennitti will celebrate the Mass and his burial will follow in Toronto Union Cemetery. A Vigil Service will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 3:45 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Toronto High School Athletic Department, American Heart Association (heart.org), or the Jefferson Co. Humane Society.

Contribution addresses are listed on our website where you may also leave a condolence to John’s family, www.jefosterfh.com.

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