John F. Pilkington, devoted Catholic
John F. Pilkington, 72, of Frankford, formerly of Long Island, N.Y., passed away surrounded by his loving family Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Lewes.
John was born Jan. 16, 1948, in Astoria, N.Y., son of the late George Pilkington and the late Catherine (Doonan) Pilkington. He retired as a vice president of Citibank in New York in 2015. After moving to Delaware in 2016, he worked at Sea Colony in Bethany Beach.
John had a devotion to the Catholic Church and was heavily involved in both his parishes in New York and Delaware. At the parish of St. Anthony of Padua in East Northport, N.Y., he served as a eucharistic minister and lector, and led the Pre-Cana courses of the congregation. After moving to Delaware and becoming active at St. Ann Parish in Bethany Beach, John served on the parish council and the liturgy committee in addition to being a eucharistic minister. He also enjoyed playing golf whenever he got the opportunity. John will be remembered as a loving, caring, and wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and brother.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Georgette Vizzini. He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Annabelle C. (Winther) Pilkington; three children, Chris Pilkington and his fiancée Michele McCullouch of Baltimore, Md., Tom Pilkington and his wife Maggie of Potomac, Md., and Lauren Pilkington and her partner Peter Saad of Baiting Hollow, N.Y.; four grandchildren, Jacob, Hannah, Tommy, and Mary; three siblings, Kathleen D’Introno and her husband Joseph of Hicksville, N.Y., Regina Pilkington of Milford, and Bryan Pilkington and his wife Ana of Lebanon, Pa.; several nieces and nephews, and his granddogs, Lulu and Sneakers.
A visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Road, Ocean View. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, at St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Dagsboro.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in John’s name to St. Ann Catholic Church, 691 Garfield Parkway, Bethany Beach, DE 19930.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com.
