Thomas John Lederer (born September 29, 1934) of Philadelphia, PA and Sea Isle City, N.J. died suddenly on Thursday, March 22, 2012 as he and his wife of 56 years, Rita Lavery Lederer, were driving back from a winter’s visit to Cocoa Beach, Florida.  He departed this life just south of Savannah, Georgia.  A member of the Roman Catholic High School class of 1952, he was a retired member of the Philadelphia Water Department.

“My dad was an active member of his Church (St. Michael’s Roman Catholic Church) and his Community,” explained his youngest daughter Megan Lederer Campion.  “In addition to being an active member of St. Michael’s Church, he was a Board Member of the Roman Catholic Alumni Association, Past President of the St. Joseph Prep Father’s Club, Chairman of Kensington South Neighborhood Advisory Committee, Boy Scout Master of Troop 488, Member of the Horticultural Society of Philadelphia and Penn State’s Gardening Progress program, winner of “Black Eye” community award, but most of all he was ‘Pop’ to his sixteen grandchildren.”

“My dad was the 9th of 11 children born to Miles and Susan Lederer of Shackamaxon Street in Fishtown,” explained eldest son Thomas Lederer Jr.  “My grandfather Miles Lederer was a member of the Pennsylvania legislature and chairman of the Philadelphia Democratic party.  My uncles followed in his footsteps and were public officials, but my dad chose to take a job where he could enjoy nature.  He worked as a surveyor for the City water department and helped run water lines across many of Philadelphia parks.  He also wanted to raise kids: first his own 6 children and then his 16 grandchildren.  He also served as surrogate father to numerous nieces and nephews as well as the neighborhood kids.  He was the Boy Scout leader.  He planted trees and neighborhood gardens.  He taught every child that wanted to know how to read the stars and how each of the constellations came by its name.  That was my dad.  He taught us to look to the stars, but have our feet firmly planted in our neighborhood.”

“My dad was a great athlete; he played basketball and ran track at Roman Catholic where he was the Vice President of the school,” added son Gerry. “One time he walked from Philadelphia to Atlantic City in a single day just to test himself, but in his mind, his most proud association was being Rita Lavery’s husband.  They were inseparable. Born two days apart, they were married for 56 years and friends for probably 70 of his 77 years.  They started kindergarten at St. Michael’s on the same day and were classmates and pals thereafter.  It’s not a surprise that it was just mom and dad in the car when it was time for him to leave us.”

Mary Sue Lederer Sears, Tom and Rita’s eldest daughter, suggested the key to knowing her dad was his philosophy on life.  “He would promise you good luck in exchange for a kiss, and told all that asked that he, ‘never had a bad day.’” He meant it.  He sought to impart that lesson to each of his kids and grandchildren.  And while all of us will miss him terribly, we will honor his outlook that people are inherently good and that life is for living.”

On hearing the news of Tom’s passing, Tom and Rita’s six kids drove down through the night from Philadelphia to Savannah, Georgia to be with their mom. “My dad leaves some huge shoes to fill,” stated youngest son Sean, “and we figured it would take all six of us to even make a start.  We all smiled and realized that it was Pop just once again bringing the family together as only he could.  We also saw the strength in my mom that he always admired.”

Miles, Tom and Rita’s third son explained “We know the world is a little sadder place today for the loss of my dad.  Our sorrow and pain, however, is kept at bay as we hear from family, friends and neighbors from across the nation and across the generations tell us what our dad meant to them.  My father never measured his wealth in dollars.  He measured it in friendships.  He left us a very wealthy man and bequeathed to us a legacy of family and friends worthy of envy. We imagine his being welcomed into heaven by Saint Michael the Archangel ‘Well done, oh good and faithful servant. Come and share your father’s joy.'”

Tom was survived by his wife of 56 years Rita Lavery Lederer , his six children, Thomas Jr. (Mary Canavan), Gerard (Denise Trujillo), Miles (fiancé Catherine Weber), Sean (Margaret Mary Taylor), Mary Sue (Christopher Sears), and Meghan (Robert Campion); his sixteen grandchildren: Kara Ann, Rebekah, and Thomas Lederer; Bella, Josie and Gabriel Lederer; Sean, Jennifer, and Emily Lederer; Maeve, Meghan, Conor and Christopher Sears; Robert, Mary and Regina Coeli Campion; his brother Frances and sister Mary Lederer Malloy; brothers-in-law: William Montgomery, William Searfoorce, and Gerard Lavery; sisters-in-law: Marie Lederer, June Lederer, Loretta Montgomery, Marion Lederer, Tina Lederer, Eileen Lederer, Jaclyn Lavery and Cathy Lederer.

Donations may be made to St. Michael’s Church and LaSalle Academy in the name of Thomas John Lederer, Sr.