John Edward Toland, age 80, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2024. John was born on October 26, 1943, the third of seven children, to Joe and Ag Toland. He was raised in West and South West Philadelphia within a large, extended family of aunts, uncles, and more than 60 cousins. There was hardly a place he could go in Philly without running into a relation or family friend. John attended West Catholic High School and following his graduation, worked as a lab technician at DuPont and served as a member of the United States Army Reserve. John worked for DuPont for almost 20 years, before leaving to pursue his true calling as a union organizer. He advocated for and defended people against poor working conditions and unfair wages, and was always the first one to organize help in support of striking workers. He was proudest of empowering ordinary working people with the confidence and skills needed to protect their health, safety, income, and families. John met his wife, Joyce (Davis), at Sue's Sweet Shoppe in Collingdale, and they married in 1966. As the story goes, he and a group of friends came into the soda shop looking for a fight....and he got one for life. They originally settled in Colwyn and had three children, but over the years, moved 14 times, crossing the U.S. He stayed in touch with his family, and had a particular soft spot for his kids, grandkids, nieces, and nephews. Each can recall a fishing, driving, teaching, vacation, or tooth-pulling story that they remember fondly. John enjoyed fishing and loved to spend time with his family traveling, acting as an amateur travel guide on their trips. He particularly enjoyed visiting national parks and saving books and maps from each place. John is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Agnes (Coates) Toland, his brothers, Joe and Tom Toland, his sister-in-laws Kathy and Rose Toland, and brother-in-law Joe Coggins. John is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years: Joyce Toland; children Terri Hale (George), Nicole Toland, and John Toland Jr.; grandchildren Georgie, Jake, Erin, and Johnny; and great-grandson Landen. His surviving siblings are Ag Coggins, Ellen Toland, Jim Toland, and Nancy Annunziato (Frank) and sister-in-law Ann Toland. Funeral Service and Burial: Private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you consider a donation in honor of John Toland to Wills Eye Foundation, Designation: Retina/Retinoschisis Research, 840 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19107. This can also be done online at Give Now ' Wills Eye Hospital