Barry Elwert Tague

1938 - 2025

Barry Elwert Tague died peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours of September 7, 2025 at home, surrounded by family. Born to Eleanor Elwert Tague and Edward James Tague Jr on June 17, 1938 in Philadelphia, he was the beloved husband of Dorothy (Dode) and father to Kimberly (Bob), Nancy, Skip (Anna) and EJ (Shannon). He was adored by his 10 grandchildren, Kelsey (Steven), Jack (Sarah), Peter, Emme, Caroline, Tim, Bridget, Nicole, Olivia and Michael. He leaves behind his sister, Connie Otley and many nieces and nephews. 

Barry came into this world with a twinkle in his eye and mischief up his sleeve. He lived in West Philly in younger years, living with his grandparents. He took the streetcar to watch the Philadelphia A’s and launched apples over his house to try to hit the cars coming down the street. He loved limericks, telling jokes and tricking anyone he came upon with his ‘double talk’. Perhaps more than anything, he was a man of honor and integrity who raised his family, and lived his life, doing the right thing. As the words of his favorite song, My Way, say “I did what I had to do, And saw it through without exemption. I planned each charted course, Each careful step along the byway. And more, much more than this, I did it my way”

He attended Friends Central school and then moved to Lower Merion for high school, where he met Dode Beausang, the school darling and captain of the cheerleaders. As the football team captain, theirs was a storybook romance. Upon graduation, he attended Bucknell University to play football and study business. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity and enjoyed starring in the school musicals. To assist his father during an illness, he left Bucknell during his junior year and went to work on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange where he began a career of leadership and legacy. He joined the USMC in 1959 and was active until 1965. In 1960, he married his sweetheart Dorothy Beausang (Dode). Shortly after, he joined Raymond James and Associates as Executive Vice President and a Specialist on the floor of the exchange. Eventually, he created his own firm, Tague Securities Corporation and was an options specialist and in 1979, he co-designed the world's first exchange-listed foreign currency option. Soon after that, the PHLX became the first exchange to trade options on foreign currencies.  In 2001, he sold his business to Van Der Moolen Holding, NV.  He was a member of the Board of Governors of the Phila Stock Exchange from 1967-1977, and again from 1990-1992, vice-Chairman of the Board, 1963-1974, Chairman of the Board, in 1974-1976 and again in 1990-1992. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Options Clearing Corporation, Chicago, 1987-1994. 

He didn’t stop there. As a young man, he campaigned for Barry Goldwater. He was passionate about kids and sports, and carrying the love of baseball into his adult life, he was a volunteer coach for East Radnor Little League, eventually being the President for many years. He served on the Board of Trustees of Bucknell University, as well as the Board of Main Line Health. He served as PTO President at Ithan Elementary School and generously supported his church, Christ Church Ithan.  

Generosity was his middle name. He kept a pile of requests for donations on his desk and contributed generously to so many organizations, too many to name. Later he narrowed it down to two very important causes - Bucknell University and Phelan McDermid Syndrome, the former his alma mater; the latter the research arm of the syndrome that afflicts his granddaughter Nicole.

His list of accomplishments is long, his affect on the many he loved, mentored and coached is profound but above all, it was the love for his beloved wife Dode that sustained him until his last breath. Theirs was a true love story, the likes of which is found only in the movies. By example, they demonstrated true love and commitment to each other, to above all, do what is right and honor each other, and their family. He may be remembered for his many professional accomplishments and community contributions but the effect he had on those he loved and who loved him is engrained in their hearts forever. 

Services will be held on Sunday October 5th, 12:00 noon Welcome, 1:00 PM Service, 2:00 PM Reception all at Christ Church Ithan, 536 Conestoga Rd., Villanova PA 19085.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider supporting either Phelan McDermid Syndrome at www.cureshank.org or https://pmsf.org/ or Epilepsy research at Jefferson Medical College. To support the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Jefferson, please make checks payable to “Jefferson” with a memo noting “in memory of “Barry E. Tague” and mail to: Jefferson, Office of Institutional Advancement, Department 825434, P.O. Box 71331, Philadelphia, PA 19176-1331, or donate online at Jefferson.edu/TributeGifts 

https://giving.jefferson.edu/giving-guide/research/medical-research.html