Give his wife the credit.

The former Margaret "Peggy" Noonan is a woman whose "free-spirited nature and genuine goodwill helped soften the driven, high-strung nature of Mr. Egan," his family said in an obituary.

"She helped transition him from a Wall Street persona to that of a father and grandfather."

Thomas Egan's nine grandchildren were a constant delight to him.

"He was a doting grandfather whose later years were well-populated with visits from his very active, noisy grandchildren," the family wrote.

"All he would do was laugh, smile and soak in the youthful exuberance."

Thomas Egan, a stockbroker in Philadelphia and New York City, an Army veteran of the Korean War and a passionate sports fan, especially of his beloved Flyers, died Sunday of prostate cancer. He was 77 and lived in Wayne.

He was born in Philadelphia, the second of the four children of the late U.S. District Judge Thomas C. Egan and Mary Egan.

He grew up in Mount Airy and was a graduate of the Norwood Academy and Portsmouth Priory, in New England.

He completed a year at Georgetown University before enlisting in the Army. He served with the Signal Corps in the 82nd Airborne Division and the First Cavalry Division in Japan.

After returning home, he enrolled at St. Joseph's University and graduated with a bachelor's degree in marketing.

He worked for many years as a stockbroker in Philadelphia, then decided to try his hand at Wall Street. He commuted daily from his then-home in Chestnut Hill, and later from Wayne.

Thomas became proficient in handling investments related to Canadian oil production and traveled frequently to Canada on business.

He played baseball, basketball and football as a youth, and continued to get out on the court or the field into his middle age.

He coached summer basketball leagues affiliated with Roman Catholic High School. He mentored many a tough kid from the projects, giving him great pride when he saw them turn their lives around.

He held season tickets to the Flyers for 40 years.

His father's death in 1961 was a blow to him, and he always regretted that his children and grandchildren never got to know the judge. His mother died in 1981.

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Thomas C. Egan III; two daughters, Margaret Sukonik and Mary Kelly Goggin; a sister, Sister Saint Ursula Egan, SSJ; a brother, Charles; and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by another brother, Paul.

Services: Were yesterday.

Donations in his memory may be made to Norwood-Fontbonne Academy, 8891 Germantown Ave., Chestnut Hill, PA 19118.