Patrick J. Dempsey, the visionary founder and retired president of Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply, headquartered in Jessup, Pennsylvania, peacefully passed away on January 5th after a period of illness. He was 91 years old.
Born in Scranton on December 22, 1933, Patrick Dempsey was a pillar of both his community and the uniform and linen supply industry. As the second of four sons to James G. and Mary “Mae” Walsh Dempsey, his early life in Scranton laid the foundation for a lifetime of achievement and service. He received his early education at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel grade school in Dunmore and then graduated from St. Paul High School in Scranton in 1951. Dempsey pursued higher education at Lehigh University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering. His leadership qualities were evident early on, as he served as president of the Beta Epsilon chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi Social Fraternity during his time at Lehigh. Continuing his academic pursuits, he obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Scranton in 1966, further solidifying his business acumen.
Dempsey’s commitment to service extended to his country. He served in the U.S. Army, stationed at Redstone and Frankford Arsenals. Notably, at Redstone Arsenal, he contributed to the Jupiter Guided Missile Project within the electrical engineering section of the Fabrication Laboratory, working under the guidance of the renowned rocket scientist Wernher Von Braun.
His journey into the linen and uniform industry began in 1955, prior to his military service, with studies at the American Institute of Laundry Management in Joliet, Illinois. This preparation led to his first role as a production supervisor at Mother’s Laundry in Dunmore, Pennsylvania, marking his initial foray into the world of laundry services.
In October 1958, Patrick Dempsey, along with his brother Dick, embarked on an entrepreneurial venture, establishing Dempsey Linen Supply in Dunmore. The doors to Dempsey Linen Supply officially opened in 1959. Starting small, the company operated with just a single delivery route and a team of four employees. From these humble beginnings, Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply has grown into a regional powerhouse. Today, Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply proudly serves businesses across six states and provides employment to nearly five hundred individuals. Demonstrating its enduring family legacy, the company is currently led by Pat’s son, P.J., and daughter, Kristin, with his other children also remaining connected to the family business.
Beyond building a successful business like Dempsey Uniform & Linen Supply, Patrick Dempsey was a respected leader within the wider industry. He dedicated his time and expertise to the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), chairing multiple committees that were instrumental in developing key training resources for the industry. His leadership extended to serving as Chairman of the Board for CSC, a nationwide network of independent laundry companies, and as a founding member of the National Management Bureau. His significant contributions to the industry were recognized in 2011 when he received the TRSA Lifetime Achievement Award, the industry’s highest honor.
Dempsey’s business acumen also benefited the financial sector. In 1985, he was elected to the board of directors at Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank in Dunmore. He later served as interim CEO and president in 2010 and held the position of chairman from 2005 to 2018. During his chairmanship, he skillfully guided Fidelity Bank through the challenges of the Great Recession and oversaw its successful listing on NASDAQ.
His commitment to community service was unwavering. Patrick Dempsey served on the Lackawanna County Regional Planning Commission for nearly 50 years, an extraordinary tenure that included 39 years as chairman. He also contributed to local governance as chairman of both the Dunmore Zoning Board and the Dunmore Planning Commission. His local contributions were further recognized by the Northeast Council of Boy Scouts of America, who presented him with their Distinguished Citizen Award in 2013, and by Junior Achievement, who named him Entrepreneur of the Year in 2014.
A lifelong member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Dunmore and a past member of Cursillo, Dempsey’s faith was an important part of his life. He was honored with the Holy Name Society’s Annual Memorial Award in 2015. Celebrating his Irish heritage, he served as Honorary Grand Marshal of the Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade in 2019.
Patrick J. Dempsey is survived by his six children, 14 grandchildren, and his brother Thomas. He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Karen Bewick Dempsey, who passed away in June 2024, and his brother, Dick, in 2011. The funeral service was held on January 11 in Dunmore. The family requests that memorial contributions be directed to Pennsylvanians for Human Life.
