Mitchell W. Beardsley

Mitchell W. Beardsley, 87, formerly of Strafford, Pa., died Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010 at Bryn Mawr Terrace in Bryn Mawr, Pa. Born July 24, 1923 in Philadelphia, Pa., he lived in Narberth, and he was the son of Donald P. and Esther Mitchell (nee Wing) Beardsley. He graduated from Episcopal Academy in 1941. He earned the Class of 1977 prize which is the top honor awarded to the senior graduate recognizing scholarship and athletics. He earned Varsity letters in baseball and football. As a young boy, he spent several summers in the 1930's at Camp Winona in Denmark, Maine and earned the Best Camper award for several years and then later became Junior Maine Guide. His love of the coast of Maine remained throughout his lifetime. He enjoyed spending summer vacations on MacMahan Island with his family. He also enjoyed summers in Glenora, N.Y. on Seneca Lake. He attended Cornell University as a 3rd generation Cornellian. Mitchell was in the Psi Upsilon fraternity. He served in the U.S. Air Force. Mitchell was a pilot in the Fourteenth Air Force, 3rd fighter group which operated in the China-Burma-India theater during World War II as the Flying Tigers under the command of Major General Claire Chennault. He later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He married the former Eleanor Painter in 1947. He was employed by GE Aerospace Division in Valley Forge and Gilbert Associates in Reading, Pa. and retired in 1985. He later did free-lance work in the area of Structural engineering. He was a member of the Martin's Dam Club and served on the board of directors for many years. He played tennis and squash and played both in his late 70's. He also was a member of the Merion Cricket Club. Mr. Beardsley was a member of the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church for over 60 years. He was preceded in death in 1993 by his wife of 46 years, Eleanor Painter Beardsley; by a son Philip B. Beardsley and by a daughter Polly H. Beardsley. He married Mildred A. Sheeler in 1995 and she later died 2009. He is survived by a daughter Pamela B. Merriman and her husband, Richardson T. Merriman of Villanova, Pa., and by three grandchildren Edward W. Merriman, Peter R. Merriman of San Francisco and Julia T. Merriman of Boston. Memorial Services were held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011 at the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, Pa. 19010. Interment was private. Memorial contributions in his memory may be made to the Episcopal Academy, 1785 Bishop White Drive, Newtown Square, Pa. Arrangements by Bringhurst Funeral Home at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, www.forever-care.com.