Thomas “Tom” W. Dempsey, Sr., 93, of Williamsport, died Thursday, March 7, 2024 at Valley View Nursing Center.
Tom was born on January 23, 1931 to Bernard and Sadie (Vance) Dempsey.
He is survived by a son, Thomas W. Dempsey, Jr. (Bekki) of Hanover; three daughters, Cheryl Dempsey of Williamsport, Karen (Pat) Logue of Hanover, and Linda Dempsey of Williamsport; four grandchildren, Ryan and Sean Logue, Katie Dempsey, and Jen (Dempsey) Baxter; and six great-grandchildren.
Tom was predeceased by his loving wife of 72 years, Nina (Womer) Dempsey; his parents; his stepmother, Helen (Sommerville) Dempsey; a brother and sister-in law, Bernard “Peanut” and Bernadine Dempsey; and two sisters, Jane and Bernadine Dempsey.
Tom graduated from Williamsport High School in 1948 and attended Lycoming College. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Lycoming College in 2001. He also served on the Board for the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Tom served eight years as Lycoming Prothonotary and Clerk of the Courts. He served as Vice President of the Pennsylvania Prothonotary and Clerks Association. He also spent several terms in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives representing Williamsport and Sunbury areas within the 83rd district, serving longer than any previous member. While in the House, he served as Chair of the bipartisan 3rd Class cities caucus. He was twice voted Outstanding Legislature of the Year by the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities.
Tom was a respected official of high school and college basketball and football games. He was enshrined in the West Branch Sports Hall of Fame and the Bethune Douglas Sports Hall of Fame. Mr. Dempsey was also a life member of the Knights of Columbus and belonged to St. Ann Catholic Church.
A Mass of Christian Burial to honor Tom’s life will be held 10 a.m. Monday, March 18 at St. Ann Catholic Church, 1220 Northway Rd., Williamsport. Burial will be held in Wildwood Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s name to St. Ann Catholic Church, 1305 Northway Rd., Williamsport, PA 17701 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements entrusted to Knight-Confer Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made on Tom’s memorial page at http://www.KnightConferFuneralHome.com.
