Jerry Clothier, Phillies VP, dead at 66

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 28 (UPI) -- Jerry Clothier, vice president for business and finance for the Philadelphia Phillies, died Saturday after battling prostate cancer, the team said. He was 66.

Clothier, a vice president since joining the team in 1982, had received in September the annual Richie Ashburn Special Achievement Award, given by the team for loyalty, dedication and passion for the game, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

"For the past 30 years, Jerry made an enormous contribution to the Phillies and the game of baseball," team President David Montgomery said in a statement.

"His engaging personality endeared him to all who knew him. He was more than a colleague, he was a dear friend to all of us."

While a Phillies executive, Clothier had served as a trustee for the Pension Committee of the Major League Baseball Players Benefit Plan for more than 10 years and was a member of Major League Baseball's Non-Uniformed Personnel Pension Plan Committee.

Clothier was a board member of Phillies Charities Inc.

He also served as a trustee for the Free Library of Philadelphia and from 1996 to 2000 was a member of the board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority.

Clothier was born in Claymont, Del., and grew up in Swarthmore.

He graduated from the University of Delaware and after serving three years in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer, received an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Donations may be sent to Phillies Charities Inc., One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, Pa. 19148 or the Free Library of Philadelphia, Development Office, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.