Thomas F. Greany, 93, executive of construction firms

Thomas F. Greany, 93, formerly of Wynnewood, a construction company executive here and in the Middle East, died Friday, July 31, at the home of a daughter in St. Louis.

Mr. Greany graduated from St. Joseph's Preparatory School and earned a bachelor's degree from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

He accepted a commission in the Navy at age 19 and went on to serve during World War II and the Korean War.

Mr. Greany was trained to pilot airships, or dirigibles, which were being used to watch for enemy submarines. He also flew C-47 military transport planes in the Pacific during World War II. In all, he logged 6,500 hours as a naval aviator.

He received the World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon, and Philippine Liberation Ribbon.

In 1952, he landed an airship on the Lexington off the coast of Bermuda, one of several landings made by a large dirigible onto a carrier, his family said. He was honorably discharged in July 1954 with the rank of lieutenant.

After returning stateside, Mr. Greany worked for the Philadelphia-based construction firm John McShain Inc. in Washington. He worked on projects at Bethesda Naval Hospital, the White House, and the Jefferson Memorial.

He later founded his own firm, but when a partner died, he became an executive with other construction firms for more than 30 years. He built projects in 25 states and several countries, including Saudi Arabia, where he led a building company with 10,000 workers.

He was a lifelong member of the Cynwyd Club and taught his children to play tennis. "He would come home from his construction job and would play tennis with each of his children. I got to play last because I was the youngest," said daughter Catherine Greany Merkel.

An avid sport fishermen, he traveled with his tackle box. "He sent me a mounted fish for my 30th birthday," his daughter said.

Mr. Greany kept a vintage wooden 38-foot Egg Harbor Custom Cruiser, the Boreas, in Bay Head, N.J. When he grew too old to operate it, the boat was donated to the New Jersey Museum of Boating, also in Bay Head.

His wife of 66 years, Gwendolyn Truluck Greany, died in 2014 at the family ranch in Ojai, Calif.

Besides his daughter, he is survived by daughters Diane and Barbara Crowley; a son, Thomas F. Jr.; and two grandchildren.

A funeral liturgy is to be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, at St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church, 128 Bryn Mawr Ave. Burial is in Holy Cross Cemetery in Yeadon.

Condolences may be sent to tfgreany@gmail.com.

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