Officials across Montgomery County are mourning the loss of a longtime leader, who helped shape the region for more than four decades.
Former state Sen. Stewart Greenleaf, who represented the state’s 12th Senate District from 1979 to 2019, has died at age 81.
“The man is a legend. He was a gracious person, smart, he was very community-oriented, he would sponsor Little League teams, and he was very giving too,” said Kevin Spearing, president of Upper Moreland’s board of commissioners.
Greenleaf was originally a commissioner in Upper Moreland Township in the early 1970s before moving into state government, and Spearing recalled Thursday how Greenleaf always remembered his local roots, particularly those who keep communities safe.
“One of the things that he was very big on was volunteer fire companies: he made sure that state government did everything they could to support volunteer firefighters,” he said.
The state’s Act 172 of 2016, which allowed local municipalities to offer tax discounts to firefighters and emergency responders, was a major initiative of Greenleaf’s, Spearing said.
Greenleaf was elected to a seat in the state’s House of Representatives in 1976 before his first election to the state Senate in 1978, a seat he held for four decades until the start of 2019. During his tenure, Greenleaf was chairman of the state senate’s judiciary committee, and served on its appropriations, banking and insurance, consumer protection and professional licensure, and environmental resources and energy committees, according to his obituary and MediaNews Group archives.
During his tenure in Harrisburg, Greenleaf would help his home township press state agencies such as PennDOT when needed, Spearing said, particularly for upgrades to Old York Road, and his office staff “was very supportive and helpful” for residents who needed help with state documents.
“He just had a wealth of knowledge of helping the community, helping them work their way around local government,” he said.
“I never heard a negative thing about him. It was always, ‘I’ll go to Senator Greenleaf’s office,’ and that would be it.”
Current state Sen. Maria Collett, who defeated Greenleaf’s son Stewart Jr. for that seat in 2018, said she was “deeply saddened to hear of Senator Stewart Greenleaf’s passing.”
“For four decades, Senator Greenleaf represented and served the people of Pennsylvania’s 12th District with honor and selflessness. A man of great faith and integrity, Senator Greenleaf’s character and leadership were admired by colleagues and constituents across the political spectrum. By setting such an example, his legacy and impact on the people of Pennsylvania will live on forever,” Collett said.
In a statement posted Wednesday, Greenleaf’s law firm Elliott Greenleaf announced the former senator had passed away the day before. The firm’s CEO John M. Elliott said Greenleaf’s “principled leadership was highly respected on both sides of the political aisle.”
“He was widely recognized throughout Pennsylvania and nationally for courageously championing significant legislative initiatives, including anti-smoking in public places, expanding educational funding, criminal justice reform, enhanced transparency in judicial and legislative ethics, public transportation, infrastructure renewal, and increasing the minimum wage,” Elliott said.
Current state Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman recalled Greenleaf as “a man of deep faith and strong convictions who leaves behind an incredible legacy, both in terms of the laws he passed and the example he set for others.” He said Greenleaf “always tried to do the right thing for all people, especially those most in need.”
State Senator Bob Mensch, a longtime fellow Republican from the adjacent 24th district, said Thursday Greenleaf was a “great legislator” who was “ethical and sincere,” with “deep faith, strong convictions and an incredible legacy.”
Former Governor Tom Ridge added Wednesday that Greenleaf’s leadership “was instrumental in several of our legislative accomplishments during our time in Harrisburg. He served his constituents admirably and leaves a positive and lasting legacy.” Former Governor Tom Corbett said Thursday Greenleaf “was a skilled lawmaker and always a gentleman. He legislated with reason, not partisan passions, and treated his allies and advisories with mutual respect.”
In Montgomery County, local officials also recalled Greenleaf’s commitment to the community. Hatfield Township honored Greenleaf in late 2018 as his term neared an end, and held an official moment of silence in Greenleaf’s memory at the start of their commissioners meeting Wednesday night.
“He was a true gentleman, in every sense of that term. We’re in a world of overly partisan elected officials, and yet Senator Greenleaf stood out, mostly for the manner in which he treated others, and that was with civility, dignity, and respect,” said commissioners President Tom Zipfel.
Perhaps most impressive? Greenleaf’s 30 years as head of the state senate’s judiciary committee: “That means you have to have the support of both sides of the aisle, and beyond. That is just unheard of, and I’m not too sure we’re going to see someone like him again anytime soon, and that’s a shame.”
“He didn’t care what political party or affiliation you had. You were a person, and that’s what was foremost on his mind. Quite frankly, not only is it a great loss to the area, and Hatfield, but I wish we had more leaders like him.”
Upper Gwynedd commissioners President Liz McNaney said Greenleaf “was always supportive of our projects in Upper Gwynedd Township,” and a township statement noted his authorship of Megan’s Law, the Grandparent Custody Law, the Rails to Trails Act, the Missing Children’s Act, and as prime sponsor of 115 bills signed into law.
“He was truly a gentleman and was well respected by all. He will be missed and my heartfelt condolences go out to his family and loved ones,” McNaney said.
Upper Gwynedd added thanks for Greenleaf’s frequent appearances to throw out the first pitch at Nor-Gwyn opening day baseball games, and Montgomery Township’s supervisors chairwoman Tanya Bamford also recalled him as a fixture at township events.
“I fondly remember his participation in Montgomery Township’s annual Autumn Fest event at Windlestrae Park and the green leaf shaped candies he would distribute at his table. He left an indelible imprint on our township and his service to our community will long be remembered,” she said.
North Wales borough council President Jim Sando said Greenleaf was “a gentleman of the old school,” and a longtime supporter of public education.
“While we didn’t always agree on the issues, he was always willing to meet, both in the district and in Harrisburg, to listen to our views,” Sando said.
Brough Manager Christine Hart said North Wales had help from Greenleaf on several projects over the past two decades, particularly stormwater upgrades near Ninth Street in the early 2000s, preserving the borough’s train station, and several grants for emergency services.
“My fondest memories of Senator Greenleaf are how down to earth he was: he always attended our small town events, whether it was shaking hands with residents on community day or literally walking, not riding in our parades – he always insisted on walking versus riding so he could stop and greet onlookers – or sharing a good ol’ parade hot dog, which was his favorite after an event,” Hart said.
Borough Mayor Greg D’Angelo called Greenleaf a “kind gentleman whose life exemplified the role of an elected official,” and said he knew one local Democrat official who always voted for Greenleaf because of his support for the community – but was most impressed with the senator’s response to a personal tragedy in January 2010.
“People also got a glimpse at Stewart the man, when his house burned to the ground in the middle of a winter night; the family escaping with just the clothes on their backs. Stewart focused on how blessed they were to come out of it with their lives. That was what was important to him,” D’Angelo said.
And borough solicitor Greg Gifford recalled seeing Greenleaf honored at a state Bar Association event two years ago.
“Six or seven PA Supreme Court Justices were in attendance and everyone, including the justices, gave Senator Greenleaf a prolonged standing ovation. It was wonderful seeing him honored that way. I really enjoyed hearing the many wonderful comments from the justices and from many lawyers around the state. I was so proud that he was my senator and my friend,” Gifford said.
Relatives and friends are invited to a viewing for Greenleaf from 10 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 13 at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 405 Easton Road in Willow Grove, with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will be private.
Spearing said Greenleaf’s life was dedicated to the public. “He was just a community servant. He pledged his life to others – quietly, too. He was not somebody that looked for recognition for anything. He just saw a need to get something done, and then helped people make it happen.”
