Harry ‘Dick’ Evans Towson

Place of Birth

Aberdeen Har, Maryland
Place of Death

Ridley Park, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial Place

Lawn Croft cemetery, section B, grave 3-4, unit C of lot 166

Harry was born on May 6, 1933, to Frank Evans Towson and Elsie Grace Murphy, in Aberdeen Har, Maryland.

By 1940, Harry had moved with his mother and father, as well as his brother Robert Towson, grandfather Frank Towson, Frank’s second wife Lilian, and their daughter Iva, to Naaman Creek Road in Bethel Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania (1940 US Census).

Attending Chester High School, Harry was an accomplished baseball player being featured in the 1950 and 1951 Chester High School yearbooks, as well as mentions in the Delaware County Daily Times for his part in winning seasons before graduation in 1951.

Harry and Wanda married on August 15, 1952. They had their first son while living at 607 E 13th street in Chester PA, then later moved to 928 McDowel ave, then to 530 E 11th. They later moved to 14 Norman St., Green Ridge before the birth of their 7th child. After their 9th and final child, Harry and Wanda moved the family to 211 Penn St, Ridley Park, PA which remained the family home until Wanda’s passing in 2019.

In the mid to late 1960’s Harry and Wanda became avid bowlers, regularly appearing both in the local Delaware County Daily Times bowling for multiple local leagues, and attending banquets at Ridley Bowl.

Harry had worked through the 1980s and later retired from Scott Paper as a machinist in Chester PA.

In his retirement, Harry enjoyed painting, traveling, and swimming in the family pool.

Harry passed away on May 14, 1994 and was laid to rest in Lawn Croft Cemetery in Linwood Pennsylvania.

TOWSON HARRY E. on May 14, 1994, or Ridley Park husband of Wanda (nee Hayes); father of Richard, Michael, Daniel, John, Theresa, Joan, Susan, Geri and Lisa; son of Elsie; brother of Robert, Ronald and Janet; 14 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Funeral Service 11 A.M. Wed. at WHITE-LUTTRELL FUNERAL HOME, 311 N. Swarthmore Ave., Ridley Park. Burial Lawn Croft Cem. Calling hours 7 to 9 P.M. Tues. at the Funeral Home. Gifts to the Heart Fund, 408 E. 4th St. Bridgeport., Pa. 19405.The Philadelphia Inquirer, May 16, 1994, pg. 21.

External Links

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Harry was born May 6 1933 in Harford county Maryland, to Frank Towson and Elsie Murphy.

Harry, at age 7, with his extended family living on Naaman Creek Road in Bethel Township, Delaware County, PA. -Sixteenth Census of the United States: 1940

With a group of six letterman acting as the nucleus for the Chester diamond squad… -1950 Chester High School Yearbook

Chester High beat Media 15-4 in season opening. Harry scored 3 runs. Delaware County Daily Times, April 5, 1951, pg. 28.

Chester High Ball Team Honored by Optimists. Delaware County Daily Times, May 17, 1951, pg. 30.

baseball Coach Hal Brewster, losing only lightly through graduation last year, had a nucleus of 11 varsity lettermen…-1951 Chester High School Yearbook

“HARRY E. TOWSON–929 Walnut–Commercial-Sales. School last attended: Smedley. Activity: Baseball 2, 3, 4. Offices: President of homeroom 3. Nickname: “Dick.” Hobbies: Baseball, football, dancing. Favorite: Miss Dilmore.” –1951 Chester High School Yearbook

Harry married Wanda Ann Hayes on August 15, 1952, in Chester PA.

Thomas Hayes (Center) Wanda and Harry Towson (right) -Aug 15, 1952

TOWSON–To Harry and Wanda Towson, 607 E. 13th st, a son. Feb. 5 –Delaware County Daily Times, February 6, 1953, pg. 9.

TOWSON–To Harry and Wanda Towson, 928 McDowel av, a daughter, Dec 13. –Delaware County Daily Times, December 22, 1956, pg 49.

Harry E (Wanda) h 530 E 11th – Chester PA City Directory, 1956

TOWSON–To Harry and Wanda Towson, 14 Norman St., Green Ridge a daughter, Oct 8. –Delaware County Daily Times, October 14, 1960, pg. 5.

TOWSON–To Harry F.[sic] and Wanda Ann Towson, 14 Norman St., Green Ridge, a daughter, April 10. –Delaware County Daily Times, April 24, 1962, pg 21.

TOWSON–To Mr. and Mrs. Harry Towson, 14 Norman St. Green Ridge, a son, Feb 5. –Delaware County Daily Times, February 19, 1964, pg. 9.

Harry Towson, Evelyn Pedrick Sparkle – HARRY TOWSON rolled his second straight 600 series, a 637-337. to take honors in the Jack & Jill League. –Delaware County Daily Times, May 28, 1966, pg. 13.

…the Goodfellow’s League kept turning our 600 – plus performances with Harry Towson’s 644-246 being the highest of the latest session. –Delaware County Daily Times, December 1, 1967, pg. 25.

Harry and Wanda Towson (left) at a Ridley Bowl reception abt. 1967

Harry Towson bombed out a 705 in the Scott Paper No. 2 League… Towson compiles hit toal on 358, 221 and 226. –Delaware County Daily Times, March 28, 1968, pg. 80.