Stephen E. Comly Sr., longtime auctioneer and appraiser, has died at 70
He joined the family firm in 1977, served as president and auctioneer, and directed more than 35,000 auction sales and 123,000 appraisals.
Stephen E. Comly Sr., 70, of Drexel Hill, former president and auction chanter for Comly Auctioneers & Appraisers, onetime president of the Certified Auctioneers Institute and the Industrial Auctioneers Association, popular instructor, longtime mentor, and lifelong golfer, died Friday, March 6, of early onset Alzheimer’s disease at Arden Courts assisted living center in King of Prussia.
Everyone said the affable Mr. Comly could sell anything and everything at auction, and, for nearly 50 years, he did. He joined the family firm out of college in 1977, served as president and auctioneer, and completed more than 123,000 appraisals and 35,000 auction sales at personal collection transactions, corporate liquidations, charity fundraisers, and other circumstances.
“Anything that can be sold today can be sold at auction,” Mr. Comly told the Daily News in 1998. “The perception of auctions being associated with deaths and bankruptcies, or limited to selling antiques and art, is a false image.”
His range was impressive. In 1998, Mr. Comly sold flatware, toasters, ovens, and counter stools when the Diner on the Square closed. In 1999, Lena’s Cafe in Cherry Hill shuttered, and he disposed of bar equipment, bar stools, and a liquor license.
He moved a 300-item private sports memorabilia collection in 2000, industrial equipment for the Pennsylvania Gear Corp. in 2003, office furniture and medical equipment for the Woman’s Medical Hospital in 2006, and a charity golf date with college basketball coach Phil Martelli for Coaches vs. Cancer in 2013.
“Anyone fortunate enough to attend one of his live auctions left impressed by the speed, energy, and personality he brought to the podium,” his family said in a tribute. Colleagues at the National Auction Association said on Facebook: “Steve’s impact on colleagues and the broader auction community will not be forgotten.”
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On Feb. 6, 2004, Mr. Comly was auctioneer for the Phillies’ famous Final Pieces one-day sale of team memorabilia and Veterans Stadium souvenirs. For 10 hours, at what is now the Xfinity Mobile Arena, Mr. Comly directed the sale of 200 items — including Mike Schmidt’s old locker for $5,900 and a wooden bat rack for $5,500 — that drew $241,350 for Phillies Charities.
“That’s why the Phillies took this to an auction,” Mr. Comly told The Inquirer that day. “Look what happened with the bat rack. Without an auction, you wouldn’t know whether you were dealing with a $5,500 item or a stack of kindling wood.”
He was a board member, instructor, and mentor at the Certified Auctioneers Institute, and a colleague there called him “a great leader and mentor to so many new auctioneers” in an online tribute. Another colleague said: “He made everyone around him feel accepted and brought joy.”
Comly Auctioneers says it’s the oldest family-owned-and-operated auction firm in America, and co-workers there said online that Mr. Comly provided them with “energy, wisdom, and confidence.” They said he brought “joy and laughter,” and even pretzels some days, to everyone.
“Steve will be remembered for his leadership, knowledge, integrity, and the lasting relationships he built with colleagues, clients, and friends,” Comly officials said on the company website.
He graduated from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting at St. Joseph’s University. He played golf on his college team and whenever he could between auctions, and was a two-term president and board member at the Llanerch Country Club.
“We loved his blue eyes, his charm, and his auction chant,” a longtime friend said online.
Stephen Edward Comly was born Nov. 21, 1955, in Upper Darby. He grew up with five brothers and six sisters in Drexel Hill and Havertown.
He played Little League Baseball and acted in theater productions in high school and as a young man. He met Donna Beyer in high school, and they married in 1978, and had a son, Stephen Jr., and daughters Carolyn, Katie, and Lauren.
Mr. Comly doted on his children and grandchildren, and enjoyed escorting them on bike rides, long walks, and surprise pitstops at his favorite doughnut shop in Sea Isle City.
He lived with Alzheimer’s for a decade and eagerly participated in clinical research trials for a drug that is now approved by the Food and Drug Administration. He also supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and his family created a page on alz.org to honor his “courageous fight against Alzheimer’s.”
“He had a gift for bringing people together and lifting spirits,” his family said. “He made people feel good to be around him.”
In addition to his wife and children, Mr. Comly is survived by 10 grandchildren, four brothers, six sisters, and other relatives. An infant brother died earlier.
Services were held earlier.
Donations in his name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601.
