Peter Tyrrell

Peter "Pete" A. Tyrrell Jr, 87, a 47-year resident of Newtown Square, died with his family on February 1, 2016.



Born in Philadelphia, Pete was raised in Upper Darby with his two sisters. Peter graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1946. Until last year, Pete coordinated reunion events for the Class of 46 and produced a monthly newsletter for the class. A 1952 veteran of the US Army and the TV Signal Corps, Peter honed his talents in radio communications, and was employed by RCA Radio installing radio transmitters all around the world. He later owned his own firm building radio transmitters, PAT Products of Bryn Mawr.



In 1950, he married Mary Patricia Kelly of Montreal. The couple had five children. Pat preceded him in death in 2007.



His father, Peter A. Tyrrell, Sr., was a Philadelphia sports promoter. Pete Jr. worked tirelessly to ensure that his father's legacy was accurately recorded, both in printed media and online. He was most proud that his father owned the Arena in West Philadelphia, and was a founding member of the Philadelphia Warriors, the NBA, the NHL, the Philadelphia Hero Scholarship Fund, the Ice Capades and Ice Follies.



Pete was active in local politics and held office as a Supervisor of Newtown Township for many years, serving as both a member and Chairman. Pete was the Republican Committee Chair for the 1st Precinct of Newtown Square. In addition to his political work, Peter also served on the Board of Directors of the "Philadelphia Hero Scholarship Fund". Peter was also the President of Serra Club of Delaware County.



Peter opposed unfettered development in Newtown Square and worked to preserve both open space and places of historical significance. Together with his late wife, Pat, he lead the Tercentennial Commission for Newtown Square in 1981, which later became the Newtown Square Historical Society. He truly loved the work he did for them and spent many Saturdays giving tours at the restored Paper Mill House and the Newtown Tavern.



Peter enjoyed bird watching, riding bikes with his children on the boardwalk in Ocean City, and ice skating on the nearby Springton Lake Reservoir. As a teenager, he hiked and hunted around Springton Lake, choosing the site for the home he and his wife built 25 years later.



Survivors: Peter A. Tyrrell III of West Chester and Preston A. Tyrrell of Radnor; daughters Patricia Ann Brentmar and Penelope A. Tyrrell, both of Eugene, Oregon; and Pamela A. Tyrrell Cohoon, also of Eugene, Oregon; 14 grandchildren; 5 Great Grandchildren, and sister Eleanor D. Tyrrell.



In addition to his parents, Peter A. Tyrrell and Elsie Day Tyrrell, Mr. Tyrrell was predeceased by his wife, Patricia Kelly Tyrrell, a sister "sissy" Elsie Rann and a grandchild, Zoan Hills Donohue-Tyrrell.



Visitation: Sunday, February 7, 2016 4:00-6:00 PM and Monday, February 8, 2016 9:00-10:00 a.m. The Donohue Funeral Home, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA.



Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, February 8, 2016 10:30 a.m. at St. Anastasia Church, 3300 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA.



Burial: SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.



Contributions: Newtown Square Historical Society, P.O. Box 3, Newtown Square, PA 19073.