( CNN ) -- A Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , pet store expecting a shipment of exotic fish this week found itself with a man 's dead body instead . The man 's widow told CNN that it might have been her husband 's `` last practical joke . '' The body of Jon Kenoyer , a California man who suffered from Alzheimer 's disease , was being donated to an Allentown , Pennsylvania , research group , Life Quest Anatomical . The shipment was handled by US Airways , which also has delivered imported fish from throughout the world to Pets Plus Pet Center for more than a decade , store manager Mike Mullarkey said . On Tuesday , Mullarkey said , he received what he thought was an expected shipment of seahorses , anemones and corals from Vietnam via California . Before opening it , however , he discovered that the box 's label indicated that it contained the remains of a man who had died four days before . The Pets Plus people were `` shocked to see that , '' he said . Mary Kenoyer , Jon Kenoyer 's widow , told CNN that she was initially startled by the news , but was able to see the comic side of it . `` At first , of course , you 're upset and shocked . But then I realized it was just a mistake , '' she said . Noting her husband had been afraid of flying during his life , she said , `` He 's just playing the last practical joke on me for putting him on a plane . '' Kenoyer said she hopes news of the mistake wo n't discourage others from donating their bodies to science . `` The casket was n't opened and was treated with respect , '' she said . Mullarkey said police supervised the return of the shipment to US Airways , which rerouted it to Life Quest . `` In all the years , I can understand a mixup , '' Mullarkey said . `` But something like that , I think , should be handled a little more delicately . '' US Airways issued a statement of apology : `` Regrettably , there was an unfortunate mixup yesterday at the US Airways Cargo facility near Philadelphia International Airport . The mixup occurred due to a verbal miscommunication between a delivery driver and the cargo representative . We are working to rectify the situation and are deeply sorry for the inconvenience this has caused . '' A spokeswoman at Life Quest Anatomical declined to comment .
Body of Jon Kenoyer delivered to Pets Plus in Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Intended for delivery to Life Quest Anatomical in Allentown , Pennsylvania . Pet store expected shipment of seahorses , anemones , and corals . `` He 's just playing the last practical joke on me , '' says widow .