Thomas L. Langan, electrician, decorated veteran

Thomas L. Langan, 90, of West Philadelphia, a decorated World War II veteran and past president and business agent of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, died Tuesday, Aug. 9, at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse.

During World War II, Mr. Langan served in the Army overseas. He was fighting in North Africa in March 1943 when he was awarded a Bronze Star for volunteering to drive an ammunition truck through heavy enemy fire. According to an account in The Inquirer, Sgt. Langan's actions enabled his platoon's tank destroyer to knock out several enemy tanks. The Inquirer reported that he made his "daring move" after two other Army vehicles had been destroyed by direct hits. The drivers were killed.

He later saw action in Italy, France, and Germany.

Mr. Langan's mother died when he was born. After his father died when he was 10, he and his siblings were raised by their stepmother and her husband after she remarried.

He graduated from West Philadelphia Catholic High School, and in January 1941, he joined Local 98 in Philadelphia as an apprentice electrician.

While home on leave from the Army in August 1945, he married Marie Kavanagh. During his honeymoon, he found out the war had ended, his son, Thomas E., said.

After his discharge, Mr. Langan became a journeyman electrician and worked for several Philadelphia institutions, including the VA Medical Center, the Schmidt brewery, and the University of Pennsylvania.

He was business manager for Local 98 in Philadelphia for 11 years in the 1960s and 1970s, serving as president of the local from 1971 to 1978. He was also recording secretary for the Philadelphia Building Trades Council for many years. He retired in the late 1980s.

As a union leader, Mr. Langan fought for good working conditions, strengthening Social Security and Medicare, and aid to the disabled, his son said. In the 1970s and early 1980s, he served on the Pennsylvania Board of Vocational Rehabilitation. He and his wife campaigned for political candidates who supported unions, their son said.

Mr. Langan enjoyed home-improvement projects and vacations at the summer home he and family and friends built in Harvey Cedars, N.J., in the early 1950s.

In addition to his son, he is survived by daughters Peg Jezercak and Della; a brother; five grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. His wife died in 2008.

A Funeral Mass was said Saturday, Aug. 13, at St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic Church in West Philadelphia, where Mr. Langan had been an usher. Burial was in Holy Cross Cemetery, Yeadon.

Donations may be made to St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church, 1429 N. 11th St., Philadelphia 19122.