Former Philadelphia Bar Association boss dies

Marvin Comisky, former head of the Philadelphia Bar Association and a founding partner of the Blank Rome law firm, died yesterday. He was 92.

Along with Samuel Blank and Edward Rome, Comisky founded what had been known as Blank Rome Comisky & McCauley in 1959. Comisky headed the firm's litigation department and, in 1969, was elected by his partners as Blank Rome's first managing partner.

Comisky, a 1941 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, served as chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association in 1965 and president of the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 1970.

During his time in charge, the organization "addressed itself to the national call for a 'war on poverty' by creating a plan in which Philadelphia lawyers would assure the availability of legal services to the poor throughout the city," current Philadelphia Bar Association chancellor Scott F. Cooper said in a statement.

"He also established a fund for underemployed lawyers 'so that our less fortunate brothers at the bar may have a friendly, helping hand in times of stress.' "

Comisky is survived by his wife, Goldye; three children, Ian, Matthew and Hope; and six grandchildren. Ian and Matthew are partners at Blank Rome and Hope is a partner at the Pepper Hamilton law firm in Philadelphia.

Services will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. at Beth Sholom Congregation, 8231 Old York Road, Elkins Park.