John M. Lummis | SEPTA conductor, 75

John M. Lummis, 75, of Mount Airy, a man of many talents and much knowledge, died of heart failure April 28 at Chestnut Hill Hospital.

Born and raised in Tuxedo Park, N.Y., Mr. Lummis graduated in 1951 with a bachelor's in economics from Yale University. He attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania for a year before joining the Army in 1952. He was in the Army Corps of Engineers in Germany until being discharged in 1954, said son Benjamin.

He worked as a salesman for International Business Machines Corp. in Philadelphia before moving to Manhattan in 1956, where was a broker on the New York Stock Exchange for 12 years.

Mr. Lummis married Sheila White in 1957 and the couple had five children. The marriage ended in divorce in 1972.

That year, he left Wall Street and managed several restaurants in Manhattan. In 1976, he married Boydena Wilson. When she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1987, the couple moved to Mount Airy.

"My father was a thoughtful, caring man," his son said. "Although he did not go to church, he found solace in prayer. He cared for Boydena and they often listened to Mormon Tabernacle Choir hymns together."

After arriving in the city, Mr. Lummis found work as a SEPTA train conductor. He retired from SEPTA in 2001.

"He knew the history of everything - the boat houses, statues, buildings, Mount Airy - and he shared his knowledge with us," his son said.

In addition to his son and wife, Mr. Lummis is survived by two more sons, Max and James; daughters Mary and Sheila; 11 grandchildren; a brother; and his former wife.

Services were Monday.

Donations may be made to Chestnut Hill United Methodist Church, 8812 Germantown Ave., Philadelphia 19118.