Obituary for Philip D. Wolfe
Philip D. Wolfe, 86, passed away Thursday, October 27, 2022, in his Wyomissing residence. He is survived by his wife, Joanne (Leyda) Wolfe, whom he married November 16, 1957. Born in Reading, he was a son of the late George and Ella (Horst) Wolfe.
Phil was a 1953 high school graduate of the New York Military Academy, a very formulative period in his life that was instrumental in molding his future success in business and in life. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Law. He actively served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1969, retiring as Captain. Phil was a 3rd generation worker and owner of Wolfe Dye and Bleach Works, working at his family business for over 50 years.
Phil was extremely active at Lafayette College, where he supported all athletics, including football, basketball, field hockey and volleyball. He served on the Hall of Fame committee for four years, was a member of the Trustee Committee for Athletic and Student Affairs, and was Leadership Council Chairman from 1996-1997. Phil was one of the first 100 alumni, out of 30,000, to be inducted into The Societe d’Honneur. He was a committee member of the Skillman Library at Lafayette College, and also on the committee of Friends of Lafayette football.
Phil was active with the Hawk Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Wyomissing Public Library, and was a member of the Blandon Fish and Game Club, all organizations that helped shape his business career.
In addition to his wife, Phil is survived by three children: Andrew H. Wolfe, Wernersville; Mark N. Wolfe, husband of Mimi, Sinking Spring; and Susan M. Wolfe, wife of Jean Dupreez, Monterey, CA. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Kevin, Taylor, Warren, and Lucy Wolfe, and Luc Dupreez, as well as nephews, Charlie, Mike, Edward and Earl, and his nieces, Alison and Beth. He was predeceased by his brothers, George W. and Peter H. Wolfe.
Phil would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their friendship: Kim Beasley, Brian Klee, Fran “Rainbow” O’Hanlon, Dan Gallagher, Will Whitman, Mark Shearer, Jack Bougher, George Tiger, Kevin Calabria, Paul Freiling, Merl Dunkelberger, Diane Piccione, Virginia Griffith, Bob Matz, Luke Borda, Hugh Kline, Jack Goodman, Meg Clymer, Rob Horn, Jose Garcia, David Morrow, and Linda Seltzer. The family would also like to thank all the staff at Assured Assistance, Home Instead, and Compassus Hospice Care for their loving care of their father.
Family visitation will be on Sunday, November 6 from 1:00-2:00PM and a memorial service will follow from 2:00-3:00PM at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Burial will be at the convenience of the Wolfe family. Contributions may be made to the Wyomissing Public Library or Saint Joseph’s Cardiac Services Department. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.
Phil was a 1953 high school graduate of the New York Military Academy, a very formulative period in his life that was instrumental in molding his future success in business and in life. He graduated from Lafayette College in 1957 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Law. He actively served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1969, retiring as Captain. Phil was a 3rd generation worker and owner of Wolfe Dye and Bleach Works, working at his family business for over 50 years.
Phil was extremely active at Lafayette College, where he supported all athletics, including football, basketball, field hockey and volleyball. He served on the Hall of Fame committee for four years, was a member of the Trustee Committee for Athletic and Student Affairs, and was Leadership Council Chairman from 1996-1997. Phil was one of the first 100 alumni, out of 30,000, to be inducted into The Societe d’Honneur. He was a committee member of the Skillman Library at Lafayette College, and also on the committee of Friends of Lafayette football.
Phil was active with the Hawk Mountain Council of the Boy Scouts of America, the Wyomissing Public Library, and was a member of the Blandon Fish and Game Club, all organizations that helped shape his business career.
In addition to his wife, Phil is survived by three children: Andrew H. Wolfe, Wernersville; Mark N. Wolfe, husband of Mimi, Sinking Spring; and Susan M. Wolfe, wife of Jean Dupreez, Monterey, CA. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Kevin, Taylor, Warren, and Lucy Wolfe, and Luc Dupreez, as well as nephews, Charlie, Mike, Edward and Earl, and his nieces, Alison and Beth. He was predeceased by his brothers, George W. and Peter H. Wolfe.
Phil would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their friendship: Kim Beasley, Brian Klee, Fran “Rainbow” O’Hanlon, Dan Gallagher, Will Whitman, Mark Shearer, Jack Bougher, George Tiger, Kevin Calabria, Paul Freiling, Merl Dunkelberger, Diane Piccione, Virginia Griffith, Bob Matz, Luke Borda, Hugh Kline, Jack Goodman, Meg Clymer, Rob Horn, Jose Garcia, David Morrow, and Linda Seltzer. The family would also like to thank all the staff at Assured Assistance, Home Instead, and Compassus Hospice Care for their loving care of their father.
Family visitation will be on Sunday, November 6 from 1:00-2:00PM and a memorial service will follow from 2:00-3:00PM at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Burial will be at the convenience of the Wolfe family. Contributions may be made to the Wyomissing Public Library or Saint Joseph’s Cardiac Services Department. Online condolences may be expressed at www.kuhnfuneralhomes.com.