FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| David Lawrence Bartholomew Sr. |
| March 15, 1931 - February 13, 2023 |
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Public Events and LocationsMemorial Service - Saturday, March 4, 2023, 11:00 AM at Upper Dublin Friends Meeting, Maple Glen |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map |
| Clergy - Upper Dublin Friends Meeting - 1506 Fort Washington Avenue, Maple Glen, PA 19002 - 215-653-0788 - Map |
| Donation - Upper Dublin Friends Meeting - 1506 Fort Washington Avenue, Maple Glen, PA 19002 - 215-653-0788 - Map |
David Lawrence Bartholomew, Sr., born on March 15, 1931, was the son of the late Lawrence C. and Hannah Hollingsworth Bartholomew and was the older brother of the late William Bartholomew and sister, the late Phebe Runyon. He passed away peacefully on February 13, 2023, at the age of 91.
Born in Lansdale, PA his family later moved to Upper Moreland Twp. where he attended school and graduated with the Upper Moreland High School Class of 1949. He was fondly known by his classmates as “The Mayor”. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. David then continued his education at Penn State-Ogontz where he took a 3-year course in Business Administration and Accounting. He later obtained both his PA Real Estate as well as PA Brokers licenses and spent many years selling residential real estate. David went on to have successful careers in Philadelphia with Equitable Insurance Company and eventually Fidelity/PSFS, where he was Vice President of their real estate department. In 1981, after leaving the banking industry and returning to residential real estate, he started his own real estate company, AB Realty. With his partners, they built and sold over 500 homes until he retired in 1997.
He raised his family in both Warminster and Huntington Valley, PA where he made unforgettable, belly laughing memories and lifelong friends. He served his communities by being a member on the boards of the Upper Moreland Little League as well as Hideaway Swim Club. In 2002, he moved to Sellersville, PA and lived with his son’s family for many years. He spent his final years being very active at Foulkeways in Gwynedd, PA where his magnetic and sweet personality was loved by all who met him.
David was a devout Quaker and for over 80 years, a member of his beloved Upper Dublin Friends Meeting. His family had strong roots at Upper Dublin as in 1814, the original Upper Dublin Meetinghouse was built on land donated by his ancestors, Phoebe and Albert Atkinson. Over the years, David was very involved and held several responsibilities at Upper Dublin Friends Meeting including managing the graveyard and grounds, treasurer and Overseer. One of his greatest accomplishments was being instrumental in the planning of and overseeing construction on a much-needed addition to the Meetinghouse in 1996. The scope of the project included a large gathering room used for meetings, social time and First Day school, as well as indoor plumbing providing restrooms and a complete kitchen area. In 2014, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Upper Dublin Meeting, David was a pivotal committee member that researched, established, installed and dedicated a roadside historical marker from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The marker stands today in front of the Meetinghouse for its historical significance as a station on the Underground Railroad and for the efforts of the Atkinson family, David’s ancestors.
An all-Philadelphia sports fan, David spent day in and day out watching, reading, re-watching, rooting for and discussing everything regarding the Flyers, Sixers, Eagles and Phillies. For many years he was a season ticket holder for the Phillies and enjoyed going down to watch the games live often taking his son, daughter, a friend or one of his grandchildren with him. Hours were spent on the telephone with family or friends everyday talking about the previous day’s game and the next one coming up. He cried when his beloved Eagles won their first Superbowl in 2018 and though he couldn’t express it this time, it’s believed that he stayed with us long enough for the Eagles to again go to the Superbowl in 2023.
David loved his family very much. He was a large part of both his daughter, Dawn and son, David’s lives creating many happy memories, celebrations, reunions, vacations at the New Jersey shore (Stone Harbor for over 40 years!) and holidays. As they were growing up, he was grateful to be able to get to know and be a part of each of his four grandchildren’s lives. Grandpa “B” attended countless numbers of their sporting, musical, theater and awards events. David always looked forward to gatherings that included his extended family too. He knew everyone in the family, their spouses, their children’s names and was the reference and “go-to” for his family’s ancestral history.
David is survived by his daughter Dawn Hirsch (Jonathan) of Lower Gwynedd, PA, son David L. Bartholomew, Jr. (Joanna) of Sellersville, PA; grandchildren David III and Alexandra (Allie) Bartholomew, Cole and Avery Hirsch; and his former wife Barbara Bartholomew.
Family and friends were welcome to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:00am, Upper Dublin Friends Meeting, 1506 Fort Washington Avenue, Maple Glen, PA.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations made to:
Upper Dublin Monthly Meeting
1506 Ft. Washington Avenue
Maple Glen, PA 19002
www.wetzelandson.com
Born in Lansdale, PA his family later moved to Upper Moreland Twp. where he attended school and graduated with the Upper Moreland High School Class of 1949. He was fondly known by his classmates as “The Mayor”. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Obtaining the rank of Eagle Scout. David then continued his education at Penn State-Ogontz where he took a 3-year course in Business Administration and Accounting. He later obtained both his PA Real Estate as well as PA Brokers licenses and spent many years selling residential real estate. David went on to have successful careers in Philadelphia with Equitable Insurance Company and eventually Fidelity/PSFS, where he was Vice President of their real estate department. In 1981, after leaving the banking industry and returning to residential real estate, he started his own real estate company, AB Realty. With his partners, they built and sold over 500 homes until he retired in 1997.
He raised his family in both Warminster and Huntington Valley, PA where he made unforgettable, belly laughing memories and lifelong friends. He served his communities by being a member on the boards of the Upper Moreland Little League as well as Hideaway Swim Club. In 2002, he moved to Sellersville, PA and lived with his son’s family for many years. He spent his final years being very active at Foulkeways in Gwynedd, PA where his magnetic and sweet personality was loved by all who met him.
David was a devout Quaker and for over 80 years, a member of his beloved Upper Dublin Friends Meeting. His family had strong roots at Upper Dublin as in 1814, the original Upper Dublin Meetinghouse was built on land donated by his ancestors, Phoebe and Albert Atkinson. Over the years, David was very involved and held several responsibilities at Upper Dublin Friends Meeting including managing the graveyard and grounds, treasurer and Overseer. One of his greatest accomplishments was being instrumental in the planning of and overseeing construction on a much-needed addition to the Meetinghouse in 1996. The scope of the project included a large gathering room used for meetings, social time and First Day school, as well as indoor plumbing providing restrooms and a complete kitchen area. In 2014, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Upper Dublin Meeting, David was a pivotal committee member that researched, established, installed and dedicated a roadside historical marker from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. The marker stands today in front of the Meetinghouse for its historical significance as a station on the Underground Railroad and for the efforts of the Atkinson family, David’s ancestors.
An all-Philadelphia sports fan, David spent day in and day out watching, reading, re-watching, rooting for and discussing everything regarding the Flyers, Sixers, Eagles and Phillies. For many years he was a season ticket holder for the Phillies and enjoyed going down to watch the games live often taking his son, daughter, a friend or one of his grandchildren with him. Hours were spent on the telephone with family or friends everyday talking about the previous day’s game and the next one coming up. He cried when his beloved Eagles won their first Superbowl in 2018 and though he couldn’t express it this time, it’s believed that he stayed with us long enough for the Eagles to again go to the Superbowl in 2023.
David loved his family very much. He was a large part of both his daughter, Dawn and son, David’s lives creating many happy memories, celebrations, reunions, vacations at the New Jersey shore (Stone Harbor for over 40 years!) and holidays. As they were growing up, he was grateful to be able to get to know and be a part of each of his four grandchildren’s lives. Grandpa “B” attended countless numbers of their sporting, musical, theater and awards events. David always looked forward to gatherings that included his extended family too. He knew everyone in the family, their spouses, their children’s names and was the reference and “go-to” for his family’s ancestral history.
David is survived by his daughter Dawn Hirsch (Jonathan) of Lower Gwynedd, PA, son David L. Bartholomew, Jr. (Joanna) of Sellersville, PA; grandchildren David III and Alexandra (Allie) Bartholomew, Cole and Avery Hirsch; and his former wife Barbara Bartholomew.
Family and friends were welcome to attend a Celebration of Life on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at 11:00am, Upper Dublin Friends Meeting, 1506 Fort Washington Avenue, Maple Glen, PA.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations made to:
Upper Dublin Monthly Meeting
1506 Ft. Washington Avenue
Maple Glen, PA 19002
www.wetzelandson.com
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