Thomas W. Biddle

Thomas W. Biddle

Newark"Thomas W. Biddle, who was elected to five terms as justice of the Village of Newark, died Wednesday (May 21, 2008) after a brief illness at the Clifton Springs Hospital.

Born in Ann Arbor Michigan, Tom graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1943. Mr. Biddle was a dedicated public servant and volunteer who took on roles as a director of no less than a half dozen community groups as a sidelight to a distinguished law career. Tom's public service began with his Army service from 1944-1946, where he saw combat with Company L, 262 infantry; earning a Purple Heart for injuries suffered in the sinking of the troop ship Leopoldville, which claimed the lives of more than 750 American soldiers in the 1944 Christmas Eve disaster, one of the worst troop-ship disasters in U.S. Naval history.

Upon returning from the war, Tom returned to his hometown of Ann Arbor to study at the University of Michigan, where he combined his lifelong passion for Michigan football with the love of his life, Jane Lammert. He courted Jane while earning his undergraduate degree, they married in 1950, spent their earliest years together as he worked towards his laws degree from Michigan. Together, they have been ardent Michigan fans for more than a half-century since.

After getting his law degree in 1952, Biddle was admitted to the New York State Bar in 1953. After a brief tenure with the Rochester law firm Nixon Hargrave, he opened his own law office in Newark in 1954.

Tom took his interest in the law beyond his private practice and into the community. Aside from his 20 years as Newark Village Justice, he also served as an assistant district attorney for Wayne County, Town Counsel to the Town of Arcadia from 1971-1991, and chairman of the Wayne County Conditional Release Commission for two years ending in 1991.

In 1991, six years after stepping down from the bench, Biddle took a position as a member of the New York State Board of Parole, where he served for four years.

Tom also was a member of the Wayne County Bar Association for more than 30 years, serving as president in 1965-67; served on the Board of Directors and was president in 1961-62 of the Newark Lions Club, on the board of the Arcadia Community Chest 1956-62, serving as president in 1961. He was a board member of the Newark Chamber of Commerce 1957-60. He and Jane were instrumental in starting the Humane Society of Wayne County, where he served on the board of directors from 1986-1991, and co-chaired with his wife the Capital Campaign that raised $140,000 toward establishment of the group's shelter.

After retiring from public service, Tom stayed active serving as the Republican election commissioner of Wayne County, even after suffering a debilitating stroke in 2003. He also continued performing civil wedding ceremonies, most recently just a month ago.

Tom also served on the Advisory Board of the Wayne County Community Endowment and component fund of the Rochester Area Foundation, from 1985-1991, was a member of the and past Master of the Newark Masonic Lodge, the District Grand Master of the Wayne County region in 1981 and the Newark Elks Lodge. He was a member of the August Mauer Post, American Legion, and proudly participated in the annual Memorial Day Parades.

He was a member of the Park Presbyterian Church, serving on the Board of Trustees from 1966-72 and acting as chairman of the board from 1970-72.

Friends may call from 3-6 PM on Saturday (May 24th) at the Paul L. Murphy & Sons Funeral Home, 127 East Miller St., Newark. A celebration of his life will be held a 2 PM on Sunday (May 25th) at the Park Presbyterian Church, Maple Court, Newark. Private burial will be in Maple Grove Cemetery, Jordan, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Humane Society of Wayne County, 1475 County House Road, Lyons, NY 14489.

Tom will be long remembered for his integrity, forthrightness and compassion. He is survived by his wife Jane, daughter Susan "Muffy" Biddle Jaffe and son-in-law Charles Jaffe of Cohasset Mass., granddaughters Thomson Elizabeth Biddle Jaffe and Whitney Rose Biddle Jaffe also of Cohasset, as well as several beloved nieces and nephews and his loving caregivers who helped make his later years more comfortable and enjoyable.

Remembrances may be sent to www.murphyandsonsfuneralhome.com