John Reddish, many interests

JOHN REDDISH had a diverse set of interests, from his day job as a Philadelphia business consultant, to helping to run a steeplechase, acting in a mystery and membership on the board of a famous puppet theater.

Not to mention his community activities, including director of the Chester County Economic Development Council.

John Reddish, of Chadds Ford, died Dec. 8 after a short battle with cancer. He was 64 and formerly lived in West Chester.

He grew up in Albany, N.Y., where he graduated from Christian Brothers Academy in 1964. He graduated from Fordham University in 1968.

John was a much-sought-after consultant in business and politics. He wrote extensively on business subjects and also was a teacher and a public speaker. He was past president of the National Speakers Association.

He was founder and president of Advent Management Associates, and a member of the board of Group V, LLC.

He was past chairman of the board of the Mum Puppet Theater in Philadelphia, a renowned performance group and training ground for future puppet masters. Before it closed in 2008, it was known for its use of puppets and masked actors interchangeably to create movement-based theater, frequently without words.

In 2008, John had a role in a satirical play, "Mystery in the Garden of Good and Evil," performed at Longwood Gardens.

In 1996, he was involved with planning the Willowdale Steeplechase Race, a charitable event in Avondale, Chester County.

He also was on the board of the Kennett Square Symphony and Planned Parenthood, and a trustee of the New York Theological Seminary.

He is survived by a son, John; two half-brothers, Robert Flynt and Robert Reddish, and three grandsons.

Services: 2 p.m. Saturday at Wayne Presbyterian Church.