Whitey O'Day, Irish Folk Music Legend, Dies

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — For more than 40 years, Irish music was full-time work for Whitey O'Day. Known throughout the Irish community in Chicagoland, there was hardly an Irish pub where he could go and not be recognized by the masses.

Dwight G. Day, known by all as “Whitey O’Day,” died peacefully on April 21. He was 76.

It has been a sad week for the many musicians who have worked with him and those who saw him as part of their regular entertainment for years. Alongside other Irish American music greats, O'Day played at venues on the North Shore, throughout the north suburbs, in the city of Chicago and south suburbs.

O'Day grew up in the Glenbrook area of the North Shore and most recently was a resident of Buffalo Grove, but the proud Irish community on the South Side still feels like they lost one of their own.

"He was a great person who would do anything for anyone," said Brendan O'Brien, owner of Reilly's Daughter Pub in south suburban Oak Lawn. "He knew every song you could possible think of. It's a big loss for the Irish American music community."

O'Brien has known O'Day, and the late talent's longtime musical partner Terry McEldowney, for as long as he can remember. O'Day and McEldowney, who is famous for having written the iconic "South Side Irish" song, were the first band to ever play at the bar when the original Reilly's Daughter first opened in 1976.

The bar near the corner of 111th and Pulaski would soon become his home base on the South Side.

"Every Southsider knew him from his time here," O'Brien said. "He had a big crew at the bar here. Many people kept coming through the 70s, the 80s and the 90s to see him."

O'Day, who was self-taught, would play at locales throughout the city and suburbs. He was the Sunday entertainment at Reilly's for years. He once opened for world renowned Irish folk singer Tommy Makem at the Irish American Heritage Center, according to his obituary from N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home.

"That was his full-time career," O'Brien said. "Music was his job."

O'Day leaves behind his wife of 24 years, Mary Flannery-Day and two beloved daughters, Kaila and Deirdra.

Friends will remember him on Thursday, May 17 at 5 p.m. at the Glenview New Church, 74 Park Drive in Glenview.

McEldowney is planning to perform at the service.

"We're going to have a group head up there," O'Brien said. "He was definitely a music icon around the area and we are sad to lose him."

Photo via N.H. Scott & Hanekamp Funeral Home