Little League® International mourns the passing of Thomas “Tom” Dempsey, Sr., the longest-serving member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and longtime supporter of Little League program. He was 93.
Mr. Dempsey, a native of Williamsport, Pennsylvania, was the son of Bernard and Sadie Dempsey. He was a 1948 graduate of Williamsport Area High School and attended Lycoming College.
Professionally, Mr. Dempsey (R) served eight years as Lycoming County (Pa.) Prothonotary and Clerk of Courts. He was Vice President of the Pennsylvania Prothonotary and Clerks Association and served on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania College of Technology.
Serving longer than any other Representative in the history of the PA State House (1987-2000), Mr. Dempsey represented the 83rd District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Most notable, he served as Chair of the bipartisan 3rd Class cities caucus and was twice voted Outstanding Legislature of the Year by the Pennsylvania League of Cities and Municipalities.
During his many years of public service, Mr. Dempsey was instrumental in securing support for the expansion of the Little League Baseball World Series and the development of Little League Volunteer Stadium, the second of two World Series stadiums on the Little League International complex.
Mr. Dempsey also was highly respected scholastic basketball and football official. He is enshrined in the Pennsylvania West Branch Sports Hall of Fame and the Bethune Douglas Sports Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Lycoming College in 2001.
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.
Mr. Dempsey 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.