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Joseph Labrum Obituary

Judge Joseph T. Labrum, Jr., 86 Judge Joseph T. Labrum, Jr., 86, of Media, beloved son of Joseph T. and Jane Schwab Labrum (deceased), passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Wednesday evening, September 4, 2013, at Riddle Village. He was a 1944 graduate of Upper Darby High School, a 1947 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, during which time he was on active duty as a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy, Naval Reserve, and a 1950 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Law School. He served on active duty in the U.S. Navy as Legal Officer aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Yorktown, during the Korean War, from 1952 to 1954. Judge Labrum began practicing law as an attorney with Lutz, Fronefield, Warner & Bryant in Media in 1950. After his service in the Navy, he resumed the practice of law, and was a partner in three successor Media law firms: Lutz, Fronefield, Warner, Bryant and Labrum; Fronefield, Labrum & Knapp; and Fronefield, deFuria & Petrikin, from 1958 to 1976. In November 1976, he was elected to serve as a Judge of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. Judge Labrum served on the Court for 20 years in the Criminal, Civil, Administrative and Family Law Divisions, where he was highly regarded for his fairness, outstanding judicial temperament and knowledge of the law. He stepped down from the bench as he approached the state mandated retirement age, and resumed the practice of law with, and was of counsel to, the firm of Fronefield & deFuria for several years. He continued to practice law until recently, and was formerly General Counsel to Riddle Village in Media, where he resided. Judge Labrum enjoyed a distinguished legal career, and in his years as a lawyer, he was in general practice, specializing in civil trial work and municipal law. He served as president of the Delaware County Bar Association, and was the recipient of service awards from the Delaware County Bar Association, including the Chadwick Award and Man of the Year. He was a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the Superior and Commonwealth Courts of Pennsylvania, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States. While a Judge, he served as President of the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges in 1994. Judge Labrum handled a number of high profile cases in his more than 50-year legal career, including serving as the trial judge in the H. Beatty Chadwick contempt proceeding, and later, after leaving the bench, serving on the defense team for John DuPont. Judge Labrum was also a 50 year member of the Lion's Club of Springfield, and was a longtime member of the Men of Malvern, attending annual retreats with the Holy Week retreat group. He was a devoted Eagles and Phillies fan, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the shore for many years at his vacation retreats in Avalon and Stone Harbor. Judge Labrum was married to the late Rosemary Creamer Labrum for 45 years, until her death in February 2000, and is survived by his seven children, Joseph T. Labrum, III (Kathryn) of Wallingford, Paula Booth (Scott), of Wallingford, Thomas Labrum (Julanne), of Media, Anne Dunion (Robert), of West Chester, Maria Hare (Joseph F.), of Broomall, Carole Labrum (James Pugsley) of Cape May Court House, NJ, and William Labrum (Tracey), of Cape May Court House, NJ, and sixteen grandchildren, Conlen Booth, Kathryn Labrum, Madalyn Booth, J. Tiernan Booth, Joseph T. Labrum, IV, Seamus Labrum, Graham Labrum, Alexander Dunion, Sara James Labrum, John Paul Hare, Eric Dunion, James Hare, Onora Labrum, Joseph G. Hare, Jason Hare, and Hugh James Pugsley-Labrum. Following the loss of his first wife, Rosemary, in 2000, he married Gloria Seedor in 2004, and delighted in his role as patriarch of an extended family of eleven children and twenty-four grandchildren. Judge Labrum was predeceased by his wife, Gloria, in 2011. Services: Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate the life of our beloved father and grandfather and may attend a viewing at 9:00 a.m., Monday, September 9, 2013, at St. Mary Magdalen Roman Catholic Church, 2495 Providence Road, in Media, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial: will follow Mass at the Cemetery of Ss. Peter and Paul, in Marple, Pennsylvania.

Published by The Daily Times from Sep. 6 to Sep. 7, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Joseph Labrum

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Dear LaBrums, I was so sorry to hear about Judge LaBrum's passing. I only found out this Thursday and wish I had heard in time to pay my personal condolences at the funeral. The entire LaBrum clan, with the Judge as the patriarch, has been integral to my own family history. I will sorely miss Judge LaBrum. He positively influenced many lives.

Michael Knapp

September 21, 2013

You will be missed

Rebecca and Jack Brady

September 11, 2013

I've had the pleasure of knowing "Judge" since meeting Tom and Jule 20+ years ago. I always enjoyed his spirited company and conversation, and know he will truly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family.

Tony Ieradi

September 9, 2013

Billy,Tracey,Seamus & Onora. My prayers & sympathies go to you with all your Good memories of the Judge. God Bless...Rest in Peace.

Nanny

September 8, 2013

God Bless you your Honor.. Rest in Peace.

Pam Mariani

September 7, 2013

Paula and family. My sympathies to and your entire family.

Angela Smith-Reed

September 7, 2013

Love you, Dad forever!

Carole Labrum

September 7, 2013

Condolences and deepest sympathy to the family. We're so sorry for your loss. Joe was the salt of the earth. They just don't make them like him anymore. Rest in Peace Joe.

Jeffry Cadorette

September 7, 2013

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