Joseph A. Dych, 68, judge on Court of Common Pleas

Joseph A. Dych, 68, of Spring Garden, a judge in the Court of Common Pleas in Philadelphia and a community activist, died of lung cancer Thursday, Aug. 19, at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.

Judge Dych was appointed to the Court of Common Pleas in 2002 and was elected to a 10-year term in 2003. Becoming a judge fulfilled a "lifelong dream," said his wife, Sandra Tranchitella Dych.

Judge Dych handled major felony cases and civil motions and had been sitting in the Major Civil Jury program.

He had the "steady temperament" to be a good jurist, said Judge Jeffrey Minehart, who was also elected to the court in 2003. "Joe was extremely fair and had a terrific grasp of the law. His decisions were always balanced. He earned lawyers' respect because he allowed them to try cases with the minimum of interference."

Before his judicial career, Judge Dych was an assistant city solicitor; vice president and general counsel for Globe Security Systems; a vice president for Wells Fargo Guard Services; a lawyer with Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin; and a sole practitioner with a concentration on general liability and workers' compensation.

Judge Dych grew up in Southwest Philadelphia and graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School for Boys in 1960. He was a member of the debate team and successfully lobbied the school for varsity letters for members, said his sister, Margaret Shepherd. As valedictorian, he gave a courageous speech on racism and civil liberties, she said.

While in high school, he was a part-time elevator operator in a Center City office building. He sold his model train set for money for college, his sister said, and while attending La Salle College, he worked at a Horn & Hardart restaurant on Chestnut Street.

Judge Dych told an Inquirer reporter in 1984: "I made 85 cents an hour . . . but by arriving early and leaving late, I managed to eat three large meals." He peeled potatoes, made coffee, and carried hot trays to the steam table.

"I knew I'd never make it in the restaurant business the night I dropped a container of steaming broccoli on the manager's shoes. He was furious. Not only had I scalded his ankles and ruined his shoes, but I did it with the last pan of broccoli in the house."

After graduating from La Salle, Mr. Dych was a claims adjuster for State Farm Insurance and earned a law degree at night at Temple University.

He and his wife married in 1971. They had met in Margate, N.J., where they now own a summer home.

In the early 1970s, the couple purchased and renovated a rowhouse on what was a run-down block in Spring Garden. They later restored a larger property nearby.

Judge Dych served on the board of the Spring Garden Civic Association and on its zoning committee. He and his wife often opened their home for tours to raise money to plant neighborhood trees.

Judge Dych was a longtime Democratic committeeman in Spring Garden and befriended the young professionals moving in as well as the longtime working-class residents, his family said.

"Joe was a great conversationalist and had a tremendous knowledge of history," Minehart said. "He also had a terrific sense of humor and could look at the absurd side of life and laugh."

Judge Dych liked to watch sports, especially the Phillies, and travel abroad. He also enjoyed Broadway musicals and opera, and had non-singing minor roles in Philadelphia Opera Company productions. He collected American art from the early 20th century, watches, and sports memorabilia.

In addition to his wife and sister, he is survived by sons William and Timothy.

Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22, and from 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 23, at the Dinan Funeral Home, 1921 Spring Garden St. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.

Memorial donations may be made to the West Catholic Development Office, 4501 Chestnut St., Philadelphia 19139.