Lon Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of UGI, recalled yesterday that "Tom would get this mischievous twinkle in his eye, and you knew he knew something you didn't."

"And you'd scratch your head: What did he know that I didn't?"

Greenberg said that Mr. Lefevre became a UGI director in 1973, was named president and CEO in 1979, added the title of chairman in 1984, retained only the title of board chairman in 1985, and left the board in 1986.

"Under his leadership," Greenberg said, "UGI's diversification program gained traction and became a core part of our strategy.

"More importantly, he helped us appreciate that integrity, intelligence, entrepreneurship, and excellence are critical elements to success."

A Rosemont resident from 1961 until 2001, Mr. Lefevre grew up in St. Petersburg, Fla., earned his bachelor's degree in 1939 from the University of Florida, and graduated from its law school in 1942.

With the Marine Corps, he saw action on Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima and was discharged as a major.

He earned his master's degree in taxation at Harvard Law School and began his law career with the Manhattan firm of Sullivan & Cromwell.

After working for the Detroit office of the IRS in 1948 and 1949, his son Nick said, Mr. Lefevre joined the law firm of the former U.S. senator from Florida, Claude Pepper, and then the Washington firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkin.

In 1955, Mr. Lefevre joined the Philadelphia firm of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius, where he became partner in 1956 and served as chairman of its tax section. As chairman of its executive committee, he headed the firm from 1971 to 1975.

Francis M. Milone, chairman of Morgan Lewis, said: "Tom, whose brilliance was matched only by his kindness and generosity, was critical to Morgan Lewis' evolution from a Philadelphia practice into a national firm."

In 1966, he became chairman of the United Way campaign in Montgomery and Chester Counties.

In July 1967, the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce named him its Man of the Month "for his contributions in working for an equitable tax climate in the business community." In 1976, he was elected to the chamber's board of directors.

His son said that Mr. Lefevre served at various times on the boards of the Franklin Institute, the Philadelphia Zoo, and what is now the University of the Arts. He was also chairman of the board of trustees of the Agnes Irwin School.

Besides his son Nick, Mr. Lefevre is survived by his wife, Lillian; a son, Eugene; daughters Margot Sunshine and Sherry Lefevre; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

A memorial service is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Organ Room of Beaumont at Bryn Mawr, 601 Ithan Ave., Bryn Mawr.

Memorial donations may be made to the Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St., Philadelphia 19103.