In Memory of Seth Pancoast: The Deepest Roots in Marple

Written by Doug Humes

Photos courtesy of the Pancoast Family

In a year filled with loss, the Marple community has suffered another huge one: the passing of the unofficial Mayor of Broomall, Seth Ellsworth Pancoast, Jr. A gentle giant of a man, Seth knew everyone and everything about the last 100 years of Marple Township. His family has roots much further back, to the original settlement of the Township in the late 1600s.

Seth playing in the dirt at the yard

Seth was born on Veterans Day 1938, to Seth E. Pancoast Sr. and Elsa Bonsall, two families familiar to generations in Marple. He attended Marple schools, and served as Vice President of his Marple Newtown High School Class of 1957. His stock phrase in high school was, “Let me show you how.” He later served as the President of the Marple Newtown Alumni Association for many years. After high school, at the height of the Cold War, Seth served several years in the Air Force Reserves, and was stationed in Wyoming. He used his downtime wisely, earning an associate’s degree in Botany so he could help his parents in the operation of Pancoast Gardens, a garden center and supply store in Broomall.

MNHS Class of 1958 Yearbook entry Photo courtesy of Marple Historical Society

Seth tried his hand at running a dry cleaning shop in the 1960s, while helping with the family business at night. But the lure of “the dirt” appealed to him more, and in 1975, he opened up his own business — S. Pancoast Topsoils & Mulches — at the location along West Chester Pike where his grandfather. Samuel Pancoast, had run his blacksmith business. Seth’s daughter Claudia said, “He literally played in the dirt his entire life, and for 67 years he made it his business. Playing in his dirt on his loader brought him childlike joy.”

During that time, he married a girl from Havertown, Linda Haring, and they raised two children, Seth Pancoast III and Claudia, at a home on Cynwyd Avenue. From a young age, the children were steeped in the history of Marple Township. Their father was a storyteller and loved a captive audience that he could regale with stories of the Marple of his boyhood.

Seth and his daughter Claudia

He often lovingly spoke of when Marple was a simple farm community served by a trolley, and everyone knew each other’s names and family connections. Seth contributed that knowledge and those memories as a longtime member of the Marple Historical Commission and also the Marple Historical Society. He was a great resource for identifying the people, places and events in the Society’s old photos collection.

Seth on the road to a car rally

Seth’s passion was antique cars, a love inherited from his father. He loved attending antique car shows and rallies. Along with his father, he started the annual Thanksgiving Day “Frostbite Run,” which attracts a huge parade of antique cars to the Massey House in Marple every year. For many years, Seth served as President and Board member of the Historical Car Club of Pennsylvania. He was also a life-long member of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Just last month, he attended the world’s largest antique car show in Hershey, where he enjoyed the company of longtime rally friends and ate lunch at his favorite diner.

Seth at his "Happy Place," the Thunderbird Restaurant

A creature of habit, Seth started going to the “new” Thunderbird Restaurant that opened when he was in high school in 1956, and he was a regular there up until his last day. Claudia said, “The Thunderbird was his happy place.” The regulars knew to leave a certain stool open for Seth every morning, and he would call ahead to tell them to put the scrapple on so it would be ready when he arrived. His fellow Thunderbird regulars who mourn his loss said, “Seth has been a true friend and a huge part of the Thunderbird family. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bub, Lee and Seth’s grandchildren that he spoke of so highly. There will always be a special spot at the counter.”

Seth III and his dad, Seth Jr.

Seth was a larger-than-life character. His son Seth III said, “He’s a party.” And so his family, his Thunderbird buddies, his car show regulars and his history friends will gather at Marple Presbyterian Church to tell tales, share memories, eat ice cream, admire the antique cars that will fill the parking lot, laugh and cry, and have a party to celebrate a full life well lived.

The Pancoast family

For more on the history of Marple, visit the Marple Historical Society website and Facebook page, and join the Society to keep up to date on coming events: www.MarpleHistoricalSociety.org. Still no events or activities due to social distancing requirements, but hopefully soon — especially resuming Open Houses at the Massey House. Check on Facebook or at our website for more details.