F. Reid Day, a disarming yet contradictory man, died too soon on Saturday, April 10, 2021, after suffering a stroke days before. Though confounding at times, Reid was beloved by family and friends and took his last breath in his daughter's embrace.

Reid was born on May 12, 1960, to the late Alan and Joan Day of Dalton, PA; he lived a full and adventurous life, spending most of his working years as an entrepreneur who answered to no one but himself. Reid is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Andrew Neely; two granddaughters, Joan and Rose; sister Robin (husband Cal); and brothers Jeff, Scott, and Chris.

More than anything, Reid loved to build connections. He loved making “five-minute friends” at the store or the diner, staying in touch with friends he’d met while traveling, playing pretend with his granddaughters, learning a new skill, sharing a recipe he’d “nailed,” and having long conversations over coffee. He was a man who was not afraid to share his opinions, good times, and good nature with all who would listen.

Meandering on highways and waterways throughout his lifetime, Reid was an explorer at heart. He traveled across the US more times than he could count and loved the water just as much. Hitch-hiking across the country, put-putting along the Intercoastal Waterway with his father, SCUBA diving in the Tortugas, flying above the desert in a hot air balloon, enjoying great music and food in New Orleans with his daughter, and going to the moon and back with his granddaughter on the ride to school are just a few of the adventures he loved most.

Most recently, Reid settled into an ordinary life full of extraordinary love. He left the warm weather of the South and suffered Pennsylvania winters to live near his daughter and her growing family. For five years, Reid worked to create his own piece of paradise on a hillside overlooking the Juniata River. He sometimes loved the slower pace, taking pride in the number of days he could be snowed-in, and had endless patience for his granddaughters’ make-believe games and requests to read one more book. His loss will be felt most acutely at Sunday evening dinners and bedtime stories thereafter.

Keeping with Reid’s unconventional ways, his remains will be donated to Penn State College of Medicine in lieu of a funeral.