Jerry Clothier, Phillies vice president for business and finance

Jerry Clothier, the Phillies' senior vice president for business and finance, died Saturday after a long battle with prostate cancer, the team said in a statement on Sunday. He was 66.

The vice president for finance since joining the team in 1982, Mr. Clothier was honored in September with the Richie Ashburn Special Achievement Award, given annually to a member of the organization who has demonstrated loyalty, dedication and passion for the game.

"For the past 30 years, Jerry made an enormous contribution to the Phillies and the game of baseball," team president David Montgomery said, in a state released by the team.

"His engaging personality endeared him to all who knew him. He was more than a colleague, he was a dear friend to all of us."

During his Phillies career, Mr. Clothier served as a trustee for the Pension Committee of the Major League Baseball Players Benefit Plan for more than 10 years.

He was also a member of Major League Baseball's Non-Uniformed Personnel Pension Plan Committee.

In addition, he served on the initial task force for Major League Baseball's captive insurance entity.

As a board member of Phillies Charities, Inc., he served an instrumental role in financial matters for the team's charitable affiliate.

Mr. Clothier was also active in the community, serving as a trustee for the Free Library of Philadelphia.

From 1996 to 2000, he was on the Board of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, an appointment by then-Mayor Ed Rendell.

He also was a member of the University of Delaware Visiting Committee on Athletics.

"Jerry was someone I truly loved, as did many others," Phillies chairman Bill Giles said in a statement.

"He was very talented, funny, courageous, caring and a fantastic family man. I'm filled with wonderful memories of a very special person, memories that will be with me forever."

Shortstop Jimmy Rollins and wife Johari also were closely acquainted with Mr. Clothier, and issued the following statement:

"We are grateful for our friendship with Jerry and the Clothier family and the key role they played in our future lives together."

It was through the Clothier family that Johari, a fitness trainer, first became associated with the Phillies.

"Jerry Clothier generously shared his expertise on a number of committees including revenue sharing and sound financial practices," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. "On behalf of Major League Baseball and the Clubs throughout our game, I extend my deepest condolences to his family."

Born in Claymont, Del., on Oct. 1, 1945, Mr. Clothier grew up in Swarthmore.

He graduated from Swarthmore High School in 1963 and the University of Delaware in 1967, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in accounting.

After college, he joined the accounting giant Price Waterhouse before serving three years in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer.

He then attended the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a Master of Business Administration in finance in 1973.

A resident of the East Falls section of Philadelphia in the 1970s, Mr. Clothier moved to Dallas in 1981, where he worked for Price Waterhouse's management consulting practice, and was admitted to the firm's partnership.

He returned to Philadelphia in February of 1982 when he accepted the position as vice president of finance with the Phillies.

Mr. Clothier is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sherry Riggs Clothier; daughter Amy and her husband Julien Gaudion; daughter Kelly and her husband Dante Weston; and grandchildren Nora, Peter, James and Henry Gaudion and Vance Weston.

He is also survived by his brother Robert B. Clothier Jr. and his wife Nancy.

A memorial service will be held at 11 on Tuesday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 22 East Chestnut Hill Avenue.

Donations may be sent to Phillies Charities, Inc., One Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia, Pa. 19148 and/or the Free Library of Philadelphia, Development Office, 1901 Vine Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19103.