Martin Clompus of West Chester

Martin Clompus a 97-year-old native of West Chester, passed away November 12, 2018. Known by his friends as “Bussy”, was an enthusiastic philanthropist in the community he loved so dearly.

After graduating high school, he became a firstclass welder at the Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Philadelphia. He married Jacqueline Grant, his high school sweetheart and remained married for 77 years. They are the proud parents of 4 children, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

During World War II, he enlisted in the Navy and served as a meteorologist on board an aircraft carrier in the South Pacific. When he came home, he took over his father’s junk yard and established a plumbing supply business in West Chester followed by a hardware store, Tarrytown, in Phoenixville.

Martin is a past President of the West Chester Kiwanis Club and helped establish Circle K, a youth philanthropy group at West Chester University. In the late 1950s, Martin joined a committee of West Chester residents who helped to refurbish six homes on Adams Street in the Borough. Martin also helped create, organize and implement Chester County Night School which began in 1956 and still carries on to this day. In 1965, Martin served as President of the West Chester Civic Association. That year, he and other members provided funds to help found the West Chester Day Care Center. From 1972-74, Martin served as President of Kesher Israel Congregation in West Chester and Chairman of the Jewish National Fund. Martin also volunteered with the United Jewish Appeal which presented him with a Recognition of Leadership award. In the early 1990s, he served as President of the Phoenixville Chamber of Commerce.

Together with his wife, Jacqueline Clompus, they supported the American Red Cross swimming program in their backyard pool for all children when others would not include minority children. Over 1,000 children learned to swim in their pool for 25 years.

A Graveside Service for Martin was held at the Haym Solomon Memorial Park last week.

In lieu of donations or flowers, please volunteer to help someone who needs assistance.

Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. of West Chester, 610-696-1181, www.dellafh.com