James A. Drobile

JAMES A. DROBILE, ESQ. 81, Patent & Trademark Attorney James A. Drobile of Gladwyne, PA and a 60 year former resident of Wayne, PA died this past Sunday November 30th at his home. Mr. Drobile was a senior counsel and founding Chair of the intellectual property practice group at the law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis located in Philadelphia. He was a distinguished alumnus of Villanova University who graduated from the College of Engineering with a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering in 1949. He subsequently earned a master of science degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1950, and a law degree from The James E. Beasley School of Law at Temple University in 1960. Mr. Drobile is a past member of Villanova University’s Board of Trustees and is among the longest serving trustees in Villanova's history, having been elected to four terms on its governing body beginning in 1976, including his service as Chairman of the Board from 1989 to 1997. The University awarded Mr. Drobile an honorary degree for personifying the qualities of unitas, veritas, caritas, appearing in the University seal, for which he obtained the trademark, and for his dedicated commitment and invaluable service to Villanova, in 2005. Mr. Drobile graduated from Waldron Academy in 1941 and St. Joseph's Preparatory High School in 1945. After graduating from high school, he became an aviation cadet in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946 and was active in the Naval Reserve from 1946 to 1950, while studying at Villanova and MIT. After receiving his M.S., he worked in industrial employment as a chemical process engineer, an administrative assistant in plant engineering, a production supervisor in pharmaceutical manufacturing and group leader in technical service to petroleum refinery units. In 1956 he became a patent agent and later a patent attorney in the Patent Department of Sun Oil Company. Following graduation from law school, he worked for the court system as an associate justice for two years. In 1961, he joined Schnader Harrison Segal and Lewis as an associate. Mr. Drobile established an endowed scholarship at Villanova University to support students studying Chemical Engineering in 2006. Jim Drobile was a avid dog lover and in recent years adopted a dog from the Main Line Animal Rescue Organization. Jim and Dorothy came to Eagles Mere in the early 1960's. He loved the EM community and the surrounding area more than anything and some of the families greatest times have been spent in Sullivan County. Mr. Drobile was a past member of the PENJERDEL Counsel and of their Board of Directors executive committee for 15 years, as well as, a past Chair of The Energy Committee. He was active in several civic organizations including: Former Vice Chairman of the Radnor Township Civil Service Commission; Former Treasurer of the Philadelphia Engineering Foundation; Past Director-- Geographical Society of Philadelphia; Past President/Director – Engineers Club of Philadelphia and a long time supporter of the Eagles Mere, PA community. Mr. Drobile’s wife of 32 years, Dorothy E. McGillicuddy Drobile, granddaughter of Connie Mack of the Philadelphia Athletics baseball franchise, died in 1987. James Drobile is survived by five children Patricia D. O’Shea (Lawrence), Margaret T. Short (Paul), James A., Jr. (Cindi), Cornelia D. Korz (Paul) and Katherine F. Drobile (fiancé Greg), along with 5 grandchildren. Also survived by his dear friend Maura Schubert. Funeral Mass Fri. Dec. 5, 10 AM St. John Vianney Church, Youngsford & Conshohocken State Rds., Gladwyne, PA. Int. Calvary Cem. Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing Thursday from 7 to 9 PM at McConaghy Funeral Home, 328 W. Lancaster Ave., Ardmore, PA. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of James A. Drobile, please visit our flower store.