Alfred Benedict Pentony, 82, longtime President and owner of the Harry F. Ortlip Electrical Construction Company, and past President of the Philadelphia Country Club, died at his Villanova home on April 30, 2008.

Mr. Pentony was born in Atlantic City, NJ on March 21, 1926 to Agnes De Salles Egan
Pentony and Alfred Benedict Pentony. At the age of 15, due to the absence of "regular" professionals away at war, he was able to use his developing love of all things electrical to assume the position of "engineer" for the radio station that broadcast from the famed Steel Pier. There, he wired sound and broadcast equipment for such swing era acts as Harry James, and the Tommy Dorsey Band, with its new singer, Frank Sinatra. After graduation from Holy Spirit High School in 1943, Al attended Villanova University (then College) for 3 semesters until reaching the age of eighteen when he was eligible to enlist in the United States Navy, where he served from 1944 through 1946. He then returned to Villanova to achieve a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949.

In 1948, Mr. Pentony married his high school classmate, Marion McCullough, and they went on to raise five daughters in Wayne and Villanova: Agnes Nicholas (Bill), Eileen Pentony, Patricia Talone (the late David), the late Jane Pentony, and Claudia Black, Esq. (Jim). Recently celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, he and Marion were also blessed with 15 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Mr. Pentony began his professional career after graduation as Chief Electrical Engineer at the Naval Air Development Station in Johnsville, PA. There he helped develop and test an emerging gyroscope that was later used in NASA rocketry. In 1950 Mr. Pentony continued his destiny by joining the Harry F. Ortlip Company, where he progressed in the next 25 years from Field Engineer, Senior Engineer, and Vice President, before assuming its Presidency in 1975. Following its founder's death, Mr. Pentony purchased the Company in 1980. A Registered Professional Engineer in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Maryland, Mr. Pentony continued to lead the Company for the next 25 years as it assumed a preeminent role in the construction of railroad facilities, hospitals, universities, pharmaceutical labs and many of Philadelphia's finest office towers.


In his early adult life Mr. Pentony continued his passion for the wonders of electricity through an interest in ham radio. But all other hobbies were eclipsed when he was introduced to golf at the age of 40. An avid player in all types of weather, Mr. Pentony applied his inquisitive and rigorous mind to all aspects of the game and its equipment. He also shared his leadership with the Philadelphia Country Club where he served on the Board of Governors and held many posts, including serving as the Club's President from 1989 to 1992. During his tenure, along with his good friend James A. Nolen, they conceived and oversaw construction of its nine hole Centennial Course. In addition to PCC, Mr. Pentony was also a member of the Jupiter Hills Golf Club in Florida, and the Union League of Philadelphia. He was a past member of Atlantic City and Seaview Country Clubs.

Throughout his life, Mr. Pentony honored what he believed to be the foundations of his success. Holy Spirit High School returned the honor to him in 2005 when they inducted him into their Hall of Fame. Mr. Pentony was also an active supporter of Villanova University where he was instrumental in having three laboratories named after his professional mentor, Harry Ortlip. In any conversation about his life journey, Mr. Pentony was always first to credit his many successes to the love and character lessons he received from his beloved parents. Among them was an indefatigable optimism and good humor. Mr. Pentony had a joke, or entertaining story, to fit any prompt or occasion. In addition to his family noted above, he is also survived by his brother, Thomas J. Pentony, many valued friends, as well as many students and admirers of his life wisdom and example.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Vianney Church, Gladwyn, PA. Friends may call, at the Church, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Donations may be sent to the Philadelphia Chapter of Susan Komen Foundation, The Sheraton Bldg, 125 S. 9th Street, Suite 202, Philadelphia, PA 19107 in memory of Jane Pentony.