Thomas R. Bromeley, businessman and philanthropist, died Thursday at his home in Derrick City.

He was 92.

Bromeley was known for supporting educational endeavors, as well as being a steadfast supporter of the Bradford community and its progress. Several community leaders shared thoughts and memories of the man many referred to as “Mr. B.”

Bradford City Mayor Tom Riel explained.

“Mr. B was a very kind and compassionate man who truly cared about our community and its issues. He was a man of rock-solid integrity and remarkable character,” Riel said. “Mr. B was very generous with city fundraising efforts, particularly to those supporting law enforcement.”

His generosity enabled the City of Bradford Police Department to be one of the first in the state to have body cameras, Riel noted.

“His passing is a huge loss to the Bradford community,” the mayor said. “We are very fortunate to have his legacy carried on by his family and foundation.”

Bromeley’s support of Bradford Regional Medical Center, where he had served on the board of directors and on the Bradford Hospital Foundation, left its mark as well.

On Friday, Dr. Jill Owens, president of Upper Allegheny Health System, parent company of BRMC, said, “Our UAHS family is saddened to hear of the recent passing of Thomas Bromeley, which leaves our community with a tremendous void.

“We’re eternally grateful for his dedication and commitment to advance the mission of BRMC,” she said, “providing quality healthcare to not only the Bradford community, but also beyond its borders.”

Owens expressed her gratitude for his service to the hospital, and for “allowing us to sustain these healthcare resources for years to come.”

She said, “The time he spent on the BRMC board in the 1980s as well as the many years on the Bradford Hospital Foundation board was integral to enhancing healthcare for our region. His presence will be dearly missed.”

Judge John Cleland, who served with Bromeley on the Advisory Board of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, spoke highly of his friend.

“It is difficult to begin to account for the positive contributions Tom made to improve the lives of so many — in Bradford, in McKean County, and in the lives of countless others who benefitted from his work with Pitt-Bradford, Alfred University, Otterbein University (in Ohio) and the Chautauqua Institution,” Cleland said.

“He offered wise counsel, a subtle sense of humor, and financial generosity. His passing is sad, but his legacy will endure.”

Cleland added another thought, a poignant one at that: “I hope it is not overlooked that he died on the weekend we are celebrating UPB’s 60th anniversary — the founding for which he played such an important role.”

From Pitt-Bradford, President Rick Esch shared a message about Bromeley and his well-known support of the local campus.

“Tom Bromeley was one of the foundational and most generous and steadfast supporters of our campus throughout its 60-year history.”

In fact, Esch said, “His support of Pitt-Bradford predates our campus. He and his father, Robert Bromeley, were among the local business leaders who strongly advocated for a campus of the University of Pittsburgh to be established in Bradford and worked with then-University Chancellor Edward Litchfield to raise the original funds to support it.”

He continued, “For six decades, Tom has staunchly supported our campus and had an active role in ensuring its success.

“In addition to serving on our Advisory Board since 1974, he spent two decades as chairman of the Bradford Educational Foundation, which receives, administers and invests gifts to benefit our campus. During his time as BEF chairman, he adeptly shepherded the distribution of millions of dollars from donors to support scholarships for our students, academic programs and capital projects.”

Bromeley was also a generous benefactor to Pitt-Bradford and its students.

“Signs of his and his family’s generosity can be seen throughout campus, including Blaisdell Hall for which he and his family helped to lead the fundraising effort to have that beautiful facility built. Bromeley Family Theater was named in honor of him and his family,” Esch said.

“In 2010, Tom received the Presidential Medal of Distinction, Pitt-Bradford’s highest honor, for his monumental contributions to Pitt-Bradford.”

He added, “We are deeply indebted to him for his foresight in recognizing the need for a university in this community as well as his strong commitment and generosity to support it.”

Esch said the university community is keeping the entire Bromeley family in their thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Hollenbeck-Cahill Funeral Home.