Michael Eroh, delivery manager

Michael B. Eroh, 61, of Clementon, a senior home delivery manager for The Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News in South Jersey, died of a heart attack Thursday, Nov. 7, at Kennedy University Hospital in Stratford.

Mr. Eroh spent most of his professional career at Interstate General Media, the company that publishes both newspapers, and its predecessors. He began in 1977 as a district manager and worked his way to senior management.

During an earlier stint as a district manager in Philadelphia, Mr. Eroh worked in gritty neighborhoods, going door-to-door to collect payment from subscribers, said Ed Delfin, vice president of circulation.

"He was a tough kid in the true sense of the word," Delfin said Friday. "He was not afraid to get the job done. Through all the changes and cuts, we always kept him because he could do the job."

The oldest of six children, Mr. Eroh was born and raised in Philadelphia in a close-knit family. He was educated in parochial schools in the city.

After working odd jobs for several years, he joined The Inquirer's parent company, where he was employed for 37 years. He most recently worked at the Turnersville warehouse, which served portions of Gloucester, Camden and Atlantic Counties. He also oversaw delivery operations at the Jersey Shore.

Colleagues described him as "just a good guy" who enjoyed his job, despite the demands of making sure that the papers were properly delivered.

"He was the best," said his supervisor, Terry Hemphill, the company's regional manager for circulation in New Jersey. "He was a fast talker, very funny and interesting."

Mr. Eroh loved sports, especially golf and basketball. He played on the circulation department's softball team for many years and coached its basketball team during a recreational all-star game at the Spectrum, Delfin said.

"He got dressed up in a suit like a big-time NBA coach," Delfin recalled with a laugh. "It was all for fun, to make people laugh. He worked hard and partied harder."

Mr. Eroh met his future wife, Michelle, in 1991 on the job at the company's old headquarters at 400 N. Broad St. She worked in circulation customer service and now is a transportation supervisor.

"I thought he was wonderful. He was funny and approachable," she said. The couple celebrated their 19th anniversary on Oct. 27.

Besides his wife, he is survived by sons Michael, Kevin, Nicholas, Matthew, and Christian; daughter Meredith; parents Barbara and Joseph Eroh; two sisters; and three brothers.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

856-779-3814 @mlburney