Upper Darby mourns the loss of a longtime public servant

If it takes a village to raise a child, imagine what it requires to create and sustain a community. But oftentimes, it is one piece of the puzzle that truly keeps the community humming, the one cog that moves all others.

In Upper Darby Township, that cog had been Jim Bannon for the past four decades. Sadly, the community lost its leader and worker bee this past week.

“It is with great sadness that we share the passing of longtime Upper Darby Township employee, Jim Bannon,” said the township’s post on social media. 

Bannon had a long history with the township.

“Jim worked for UDT for 42 years. He was hired in 1970. He began working in the Sanitation then later moved over to the Sewer Department,” said the township’s post. “He was also a board member of the Upper Darby Municipal Employees Pension Plan, where he was elected President, maintaining that position until his retirement in 2012.”

Bannon was survived by his wife of 55 years, Margaret, his children, Jim and Megan, and two grandsons, PJ and Max.

“He was a lifelong Upper Darby Township resident who graduated from St. Laurence and Monsignor Bonner High School,” said the township’s memorial on Facebook. “Jim always placed the needs of others ahead of himself, willing to lend a helping hand at any time. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus. And a longtime coach and volunteer for HPKAA.”

Funeral arrangements will be Thursday May 7, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Donohue Funeral Home, 8401 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, Pa. The funeral will be followed by a noon mass at St. Laurence Church, 8245 West Chester Pike, Upper Darby, Pa.