Thomas J. Stevens, Jr. Jr.

Thomas J. Stevens Jr. – Celebration of Life

Thomas J. Stevens, Jr., age 91, of Jenkintown, PA, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. Born on September 2, 1933, in Philadelphia, he was the only child of the late Ellen (née McDevitt) and Thomas J. Stevens, Sr.

Beloved husband of Janet (née Cunningham), Tom was a devoted and loving father to Thomas P. Stevens, Ellen M. Hawkins (née Stevens), Mary C. Stevens, and Joseph R. Stevens. He is also survived by his cherished son- and daughters-in-law: Michael Hawkins, Jill Henken, and Sorina Stinga Stevens. Tom took great joy in being a grandfather to Julia, Lily, and Luca Stevens.

As the son of a salesman, Tom often shared that he moved at least once a year before turning 18. By mutual agreement, he left St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia and graduated from Germantown High School in 1951. He went on to earn a B.S. from Villanova University in 1955, followed by service in the U.S. Army as a cryptographer stationed in France. Tom loved to tell stories-one favorite being how he jumped at the chance for a few days' leave in Paris. The only catch was that he had to sign up for the Law School Admissions Test. He enjoyed Paris to the fullest, took the test almost as an afterthought, and, to his surprise, passed-setting the course for his legal career.

Upon returning to the States, he entered Villanova University Law School, graduating in 1961 with a close-knit group of lifelong friends who supported each other throughout their lives. In fact, his best friend, Nick Kihm, was with him the night he met his wife, Janet, and her best friend, Maryanne, at a Saint Patrick's Day dance in Philadelphia in 1960. Nick married Maryanne, and the two friends went on to start a law practice together. Nick was like a brother to Tom.

Janet and Tom married on August 19, 1961, and about six months later moved to snowy North Dakota, where Tom had secured a position at Boeing/Vertol as in-house counsel. They returned to Pennsylvania a year later and soon welcomed four children. Tom specialized in business law and, in 1969, joined Connelly, McAndrews, Kihm & Stevens in Warminster. In the 1980s, he co-founded Corr, Stevens & Fenningham, which became a respected name in the legal community. He was proud to work with his son, Thomas P. Stevens, who also attended Villanova Law.

Tom enjoyed building his business and was an early adopter of technology. Friends, family, and those in need could always count on him to use his legal expertise and problem-solving skills to help them. He retired in 1998 but remained active in service, contributing to the Jenkintown condominium community where he and Janet made their home, helping friends and family and volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul Church.

Loving and generous, Tom believed that any obstacle in life could be overcome with faith, hard work, and persistence. His optimism and compassion served as a wonderful example to all who were lucky enough to know him. An avid enthusiast, he embraced new ideas and hobbies including skiing, boating, board games (especially Monopoly and Scrabble), and golf.

Tom had an artistic bent, inherited from his father's side of the family and passed on to his children. He was a passionate photographer and had a keen interest in architecture, even designing the family's second home in Bucks County. He relished travel, especially when the destination included a visit with his children. His wife and children have happy memories of time spent with Tom-affectionately nicknamed "Captain Crunch"-on the Chesapeake Bay, in the mountains, and "down the shore" in New Jersey or Florida. Later in life, when traveling afar was more difficult, Tom cherished ice cream outings with his granddaughter Lily and road trips for "goodies" with his grandson Luca. A die-hard Eagles fan, he loved gathering with family and friends on game day and was famous for his epic Super Bowl parties.

Tom and Janet made their home in a large, old house in Doylestown with space for his parents. He and Janet spent many happy hours at Alderfer Auction, bidding on local paintings and antiques to decorate their home. They were later joined by Janet's sister, Franny, who moved into the house next door with Janet's parents, John and Mary, and her children, Amy and John-prompting someone to joke it was "just like the Kennedy compound, without the money."

Deeply devoted to family, Tom ensured that both his own parents and Janet's parents could live with them and be lovingly cared for as they aged. He also enjoyed the occasional trip to the casino, telling Janet, "If I win, I'm going to buy a house"-which he did, moving the family to Ocean City, NJ, to accommodate his parents. Tom and Janet delighted in sharing their new shore home with their children and grandchildren.

Compassionate, kind, and open-minded, Tom lived a life rooted in faith and service to others. In later years, he found his spiritual home and many dear friends at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Germantown, where truly all are welcomed and loved.

Tom's life was a testament to love, exploration, and perseverance. Whether at the helm on the Chesapeake, on the slopes in the mountains, or gathered around the table with family, he made every moment an opportunity to connect, to care, and to savor life's simple pleasures. His steady faith, generous heart, and zest for life will continue to guide and inspire all who were blessed to know him. Though he will be missed deeply, his spirit will remain-steady as the tide, bright as the morning sun.

Relatives and friends are invited to his funeral mass on Wednesday, August 13th at 10:30 AM at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 109 E. Price St. Phila., PA 19144.

Services are entrusted to the Walter J. Meyers Funeral Home, Jenkintown, PA.

Condolences: www.MeyersFH.com