Jerome Grossman | Tavern owner, 90

Jerome Grossman, 90, of Drexel Hill, owner of the Red Lantern sports bar in Folcroft, died of a stroke Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Bryn Mawr Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Grossman grew up in Olney and graduated from Central High School.

During World War II, he served in the Army Air Force. While stationed in England, he was a navigator on B-17s and flew more than 30 bombing missions over Germany.

After his discharge, he was a salesman for Wildstein Cheese Co. in Philadelphia.

In 1954, he and partners purchased the Red Lantern. He thought he would be merely an investor and would keep his sales job, but the bar required his full attention, his son William said. Though he didn't know anything about the business starting out, he learned quickly and made it a success, his son said.

Mr. Grossman was a longtime Eagles season-ticket holder, and for years the Red Lantern sponsored trips to Eagles games. In 1984, when ticket sales fell off, Leonard Tose, then the team's owner, visited the bar, bought drinks for about 70 people, and listened to complaints about his players. Mr. Grossman told The Inquirer that Tose had called him at home and invited himself to the bar.

Mr. Grossman was also a Phillies fan, and the Red Lantern sponsored a neighborhood softball team. His son, who now operates the bar, said his father stayed involved in the business.

Mr. Grossman enjoyed pinochle and spending time with his grandchildren.

In addition to his son, Mr. Grossman is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth Meritz Grossman; two other sons, Lon and Ken; a sister; and five grandchildren.

A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2, at Roosevelt Memorial Park, 2701 Old Lincoln Highway, Trevose.