Hillard Madway, of Bryn Mawr, a savvy businessman, longtime board member, and navy veteran, died on August 13 of heart failure. He was 94, writes Gary Miles for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

He was also the family patriarch of the ever-growing Madway clan.

“He taught us that family always comes first no matter what,” wrote his granddaughters Lauren and Bess Collier in a tribute.

During his life, Madway headed several companies in the building construction business.

He was the owner of Conshohocken-based Ridge Pike Lumber and Ridge Homes as well as a longtime executive at Evans Products. Later in life, he worked at Ridge Pike Building Materials with his son-in-law.

Madway was also committed to public service and private businesses, and as such, he served on the board of trustees at Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood for over three decades.

He was also a committee chairman on the board of the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency during the 1980s.

He was dedicated to philanthropy and helped the National Museum of American Jewish History overcome its financial challenges during its early years.

 “He never bragged,” said his son, David “He was humble.”

Read more about Hillard Madway in The Philadelphia Inquirer.