John Andrew Sears Jr.

1934 - 2014

John Andrew Sears, Jr. "Tim", 1934-2014, Tim Sears, 80, a longtime resident of Wayne, PA passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 9, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Ann Gearon Sears, his brother Peter Albert Sears and sister-in-law Cary Webb Hank Sears of West Chester; six children: Stephanie Sears Frick, of Villanova; Joanna Sears Flanagan, of Lone Tree, CO; CAPT (Ret) John Andrew Sears III, USN, of Arlington, VA; Maureen Gearon Sears of Narberth; Daniel James Sears of Mount Holly, NJ; and Michael Edward Sears, of Lafayette Hill; two nephews, William Peterson Sears and Kevin Alden Sears, and four grandchildren: Sarah Marie, Anna Elizabeth, and Charles Andrew Frick, and Francis Michael Flanagan. Born in New York City, Tim was a happy member of a close-knit family of four, who, after moving from New York to Arlington, Virginia, settled in Wayne in 1948. He was devoted to his parents Mildred and Jack, and his brother Peter. Tim was a member of the Radnor High School class of 1952, where he was on the baseball team and captain of the football team. He was distinguished with the award of the Honor "R", and also earned the George Rushton Howell, III Memorial Award, which was given to a graduating senior who shows extraordinary scholarship, devotion to the school, and good character. Tim graduated from Dartmouth College with a Bachelors of Arts in English in 1956, where he played baseball and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He spent three years as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, sailing destroyers. After the Navy, he had a long and successful career with Bell Atlantic as a business strategist and District Manager, helping to transform a company undergoing significant regulatory and operational change. In 1958, Tim met his lifelong love Ann Gearon, a young high school teacher from Boston who shared his regard for language and scholarship. Together they built a family with attendant care and energy. During his life, Tim generously devoted his time to the Radnor community. Organizationally, Tim served as the Secretary of the Radnor Has-Beens and the Dartmouth College Alumni Club of Philadelphia, and was President of the Martins Dam Swim Club. Tim continued the tradition of Wayne Little League baseball, a program his father John "Jack" Sears Sr. founded in 1952. He taught his players that winning required hard work and focus, but teamwork and mutual support was their primary responsibility. These were values he nurtured in his family and work life. "Always do your best, and, never quit" were mantras his children often heard as they trekked off to school, prepared for a game, or pulled on their chins over a distressing homework assignment. Tim served for many years as the Scout Master for Radnor Troop 284, where he fostered a commitment to education and community. Tim was honored for his lifetime of service to the Boy Scouts with the Silver Beaver Award for distinguished service. Tim's legacy endures in his family, and in the families of those he cared for. But Tim will be best remembered for the choices he made. It is rare for someone so gifted to set aside his own needs for the needs of others, or to find greater joy in the accomplishments of a struggling four-foot tall shortstop, than in his own. Tim's loved ones are feeling his loss strongly this week, but we endeavor to carry his example with us always. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday. August 14th, 10am at the Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home. Interment Calvary Cemetery The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to: Friends of Radnor 284, PO Box 142, Wayne, PA 19087 Chadwick & McKinney Funeral Home Inc. www.chadwickmckinney.com