Joseph Anthony Layden Sr.

Joseph Anthony Layden, Sr. passed away peacefully at his home in the early hours of the morning Monday, April 7, 2025 at the age of 89. A long-time resident of Berwyn, Joe was born October 16, 1935 in Worcester, MA to parents, Joseph W. and Helen F. (née Ryan) Layden.

Education played a pivotal role in his life — from Blessed Sacrament Elementary to Saint John’s High School (on Temple Street) and eventually graduating from the College of the Holy Cross in 1958 with a degree in Economics. After brief stints with Harrington & Richardson Arms and Rockwood Valve, he had the opportunity to work as an independent manufacturers representative for Conbraco Industries out of North Carolina. With his wife, Peggy, he moved to southeastern PA and founded the J.A. Layden Company over 50 years ago enjoying a long and fruitful relationship with the Mosack family selling Apollo® Valves and making countless friends in the pipe, valve and fitting industry along the way.

Joe was an active member of the St. Isaac Jogue’s Knights of Columbus Council 13716 reaching the rank of 3rd Degree and was named Knight of the Year in 2016. He frequently ushered at 12:00 Sunday Mass and was a proud member of the Italian American Club of Wayne — despite a distinct lack of Italian ancestry.

Until very recently, Joe most enjoyed going to the office to see “What’s doin’?” with his sons, visiting old customers and friends, and spending a Saturday or Sunday afternoon sitting in the lobby of the office with a hot cup of coffee reading the news and sending emails on his iPad.

He is predeceased by his parents, his stepmother Mary Layden (née Coakley), and his brother, Kevin Layden (Bonnie).

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret “Peggy” M. (née Mooney) whom he loved deeply, along with two sons Joe, Jr. (Sally) and Will (Melissa) and six grandchildren Anna, Ryan, Molly, Julia, James and John, as well as sisters, Joanne McNamee (Michael) of West Barnstable, MA and Cathleen Nichol (Tom) of Barnegat, NJ and Mary Gibney, a very close family friend whom he thought of like a daughter.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith” –2 Timothy 4:7

“Not bad for a lil’ shaver from Richmond Avenue.” –Joe, Sr.

Visitation is scheduled for 8:30–9:30 am on Tuesday, April 15th at St. Isaac Jogue’s Parish, 50 West Walker Rd, Wayne, PA 19087, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am, and internment at Washington Memorial Chapel Cemetery.