Patrick Gillespie Sr. of Havertown, a former Pennsylvania state representative and retired business manager for the Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council, died Aug. 29. He was 76, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Mr. Gillespie, known for his disarming sense of humor, worked with union members and business owners alike. He is credited with helping turn Philadelphia into a development powerhouse.

He led the building trades council during massive construction and development in the city, helping create public-private partnerships that helped the Navy Yard, Philadelphia International Airport, Convention Center, Penn’s Landing and elsewhere in the five-county region.

He served Delaware County as state representative in the 162^nd District from 1975 to 1977.

“He never lost sight of the importance of service,” Ryan Boyer, current business manager of the trades council, said in an online tribute. “Those of us who serve in labor leadership roles today stand on the shoulders of men like Pat Gillespie. They don’t make them like that anymore.”

Mr. Gillespie stressed fairness in the workplace and created programs with business owners that addressed safety, drug testing and employee counseling.

He also increased employment opportunities for hospitality workers and people of color,

Read more at The Philadelphia Inquirer about the life of Patrick Gillespie Sr.