12/26/2022
It is with a very heavy heart that I share this news. On 12/23/22 my Uncle Tommy (former owner of ETs and Tommy's Tavern) passed away at the age of 82. He was very well known in the bar industry, having been the President of the Delco Tavern Owners Association, and helped many start-up or first time bar owners with advice. He had many friends in the Delco bar industry, and was in the business since I was a teen.
His lobbying in Harrisburg helped with legislation for the PA Clean Indoor Air Act of 2008 (which regulated smoking in bars that served or did not serve food), as well as legalization of Small Games of Chance (i.e. the Pennsylvania Skills games you see in bars). He was seen as a strong and effective leader by many.
Personally, he allowed me to start running Karaoke/DJ shows on Friday afternoons, from roughly 2:30pm till 6:30 pm, until he realized that we may be on to something. He then allowed me to run shows from 9:30pm-??? on Friday nights. Those shows lasted about 14 years in Delco. Even though I stopped entertaining for a bit during those 14 years, when I was ready to return, he took me back with open arms, no questions asked. He was always a very strong influence in the community as well as the Berry family.
Because of him, I got to work with family. With my cousins Brian Berry and Joey Bosak behind the bar, and my brother Chris Berry at the door, we became an unstoppable team, with many memories accumulated, and spent more time together than we may have without Tommy's. However, Uncle Tom's greatest gift to me was letting me run that show, because, I knew I would see my father, Gene Berry, every Friday night like clockwork, until he became sick.
For those of you who knew Tommy, well, you knew he had a gigantic stature. For those of you who worked in the business, you knew he had a gigantic influence on the Delco Bar industry.
However, the most gigantic part of Tom Berry was his heart. He would give you the shirt off his back if you asked (and even if you didn't). I am very proud and humbled to have worked for him, and his memory will live on in those he so GIGANTICALLY impacted. Rest In Peace with your family and friends who have passed before you, Uncle Tom.
https://www.donohuefuneralhome.com/obituaries/thomas-berry?fbclid=IwAR3Lad801ETiMsqUiJNL4L2M7zYi5lbd73mRPhS-2GQ99pCm9PQUkR9LOEQ
View Thomas P. Berry's obituary, send flowers and find service dates or sign the guestbook.
