W. Thomas Musser
W. Thomas Musser, Chairman and Founder of The Tri-M Group, LLC and lifelong resident of Chester County, PA, age 81, passed away on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at his home in Kennett Square, PA; after a brave battle with brain cancer. He was the husband of Bonnie Anderson Musser with whom he shared 52 years of marriage.
Born in West Chester, PA, he was the son of the late Wilmor G. Musser and the late Ethel Thomas Musser.
A 1952 graduate of Unionville High School, he attended the University of Florida. He served our country in the United States Navy as an air traffic controller on the USS Shangri La (CVA 38) operating in the Atlantic Fleet.
He was Chairman and Founder of The Tri-M Group, LLC and EnerG Test, LLC with offices in Allentown, PA, Lock Haven, PA, Middletown, DE and Baltimore, MD.
Tom served the community both locally and nationally. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church, West Chester, PA and formerly a member of Unionville Presbyterian Church, where he served as an Elder and church representative to the Donegal Presbytery.
He was past Master of the Kennett Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons and past High Priest of the Kennett Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons, past Commander of the Brandywine Commandry, past Master of Gunning Bedford Council Wilmington, DE, past Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal & Select Masons of DE, member of the Philadelphia Priory Knights of the York Cross of Honor, past President and board member of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Southern Chester County Medical Center (now Jennersville Regional Hospital), past President and past member of the Kennett Square Rotary Club (now Rotary at Longwood) and a Paul Harris Fellow, past President of the Southeast Pennsylvania Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (now Eastern PA ABC), past National board member and past Regional Vice President of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), past National President Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), past Board member of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER), past Chairman of the Leadership Conference of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), past Chairman of Pennsylvania National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Guardian Advisory Council, past National Chairman National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Free Enterprise Council, past national board member of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), past Chairman of the Board for the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Educational Foundation, past National Chairman of the Board of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), past Trustee & member of the Educational Foundation of Chester County, past President of the YMCA of Central Chester County (now Brandywine Valley), past Chairperson of the Kennett-Unionville YMCA Capital Fund Drive (1996-97), raising $5,200,000 for the YMCA in Kennett Square, PA, Past Chairman, Kennett Area YMCA Capital Campaign (2011-12) raising $3,000,000 for the expansion of the YMCA of Kennett Square, PA, past Board member of the Conard-Pyle Co, past Board member of the Department of Defense Advisory Board for the National Committee of the Employer Support of the Guard & Reserve (ESGR), past Board member of the Chester County Hospital Foundation, past member Chester County Hospital Capital Campaign committee, past member National Board for Workforce Fairness Institute, and past Vice Chair and board member of U.S. Naval Institute Foundation Board of Trustees.
Tom testified several times before Congress for business & construction issues, and met with President George W. Bush on 3 different occasions, in reference to issues facing independent businesses.
A leader for many associations in our community he gave of both time and treasure. He was a trusted friend and mentor to many.
In 2016 he was inducted into the Chester County Economic Development Council’s Business Hall of Fame; also in 2016, Tom was the recipient of the Jordan Award from the Chester County Community Foundation. In 2013 he received the Chester County Community Foundation Corporate Social Investment Award. He was a 2008 Unionville High School Wall of Honor Inductee. In 2000 he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Central Chester County YMCA (now Brandywine Valley). In 1996 Tom was named Outstanding Citizen, by the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. In 1995 he was named CEO of the Year by the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry and in 1989 Tom was an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist.
Tom is survived by his wife, Bonnie A. Musser (nee Anderson) of Kennett Square, PA, one daughter, Traci Musser Bauguess, her husband, Ronald E. Bauguess of Port Deposit, MD and their children Kayla Renae Bauguess and Xander Thomas Bauguess; and one son, Thomas H. Musser of Kennett Square, PA ; two brothers, Richard D. Musser and his wife Doris and Harry W. Musser and his wife Peggy; brother-in-law, William D. Anderson, Jr. and his wife Sherry; sister-in-law, Terry Anderson Vosburgh and her husband Bruce. Tom is also survived by six nieces and nephews and their families.
You are invited to visit with Tom’s family and friends at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, PA 19382 from 6-9PM on Sunday evening, July 17, 2016 and again from 9-11AM on Monday morning, July 18. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday at the church.
Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery, 424 N. Union Street, Kennett Square
Memorial Contributions may be made to the Naval Institute Foundation, 291 Wood Road, Annapolis, MD 21402 or Neighborhood Hospice, 795 E. Marshall Street, Suite 204, West Chester, PA 19380.
Arrangements are by the Kuzo & Grieco Funeral Home, Inc., 250 W. State Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348. To view his online tribute and to share a memory with his family, please visit www.griecocares.com
