Edward Brooke Stokes, 94, real estate developer

Edward Brooke Stokes, 94, of Devon, an investment brokerage executive and later a commercial real estate developer, died Wednesday, Feb. 17, of respiratory failure at Dunwoody Village.

Mr. Stokes was born in Philadelphia, the son of Mary Baldwin Irwin Brooke and Edward Lowber Stokes. The latter was a Republican congressman from Pennsylvania from 1931 to 1935.

The younger Mr. Stokes graduated in 1940 from St. Paul's School in New Hampshire. He enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, but his studies were interrupted by service in the Army during World War II. He graduated in 1946 with a bachelor's degree in economics.

He was adept at establishing new businesses throughout his life. After the war, he worked as an investment broker for Elkins Morris & Co., but in 1948 he became a founding partner in the firm of Stokes and Co. The company specialized in municipal and corporate securities.

In 1952, Elkins Morris merged with the Stokes firm to create Elkins, Morris, Stokes & Co. Mr. Stokes was a partner in the firm through 1965. He was an associate member of the New York Stock Exchange, a past president of the Bond Club of Philadelphia, and a member of the Financial Analysts' Association and the Philadelphia Securities Association.

In the 1970s, Mr. Stokes changed careers, becoming a commercial real estate developer of shopping centers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Among them were Exton Square Mall, Ardmore West, Newtown Square Shopping Center, the North End Center in Pottstown, and Hillcrest Mall in Phillipsburg, N.J.

He also developed garden apartments in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and stayed active in commercial development until retiring in 1987.

He was a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers and served as president of the Board of Trustees of Commonwealth Realty Trust in Philadelphia. He lent his expertise when Wawa Dairy expanded into the convenience store business.

Mr. Stokes enjoyed playing golf, tennis, and bridge. He liked poring over family genealogy and studying the stock market. He doted on his family.

He was a member of the Overbrook Golf Club and Merion Cricket Club. In prior years, he had been a Cub Scout leader and a Little League coach.

Mr. Stokes was genial, straightforward, and flexible - he never held a grudge. A "gentle patriarch," he made those around him feel at ease, his family said.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Catherine "Kitty" Merritt; sons Edward Jr., Michael and Peter; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and a sister. A grandchild died earlier.

Plans for funeral services were pending.

Donations may be made to the Speaker's House, Box 26686, Trappe, Pa. 19426.

bcook@phillynews.com

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