William Jordan

William J.D. Jordan, a beloved brother, cousin and uncle and a passionate supporter
of Philadelphia’s arts and cultural institutions, departed this life on May 25 after a brief
illness. He was 77.
A lifelong Philadelphian, Jordan worked for decades on behalf of organizations
promoting the city’s cultural vibrancy and the preservation of its historic treasures. He
served in various capacities as an officer, board member, mentor and volunteer, and was
for years a frequent presence at Philadelphia galas and fundraisers in support of the
causes he championed.
He was especially gifted at organizing fundraising campaigns and managing budgets
and portfolios for charities, service organizations and congregations. While serving as
the chief financial officer for the Church the Holy Trinity Rittenhouse Square, he led the
successful fund-raising drive for the restoration of the church’s historic bell carillon, a
Philadelphia landmark and the second oldest carillon in the United States. He also was a
past financial administrator and member of the vestry at St. Mark’s Church in Center
City. His lifetime of work supporting charities and service organizations was honored
with a 2016 appointment to the Priory in the USA of the Order of St. John.
Jordan’s commitment to service was partly an extension of his successful career in the
finance industry. Born in Philadelphia on Feb. 17, 1947, Jordan worked for years in the
investment and trust industry, including for Mellon Bank and Morgan Stanley, and as a
development officer for Arcadia University and other institutions and private investors
across the Greater Philadelphia region.
His deep involvement with Philadelphia’s arts and cultural communities began in the
1970s and continued throughout his life.
He served as former president and a long-time treasurer of the Philadelphia chapter of
the English Speaking Union, which honored him for his lifelong service at the group’s
100-year anniversary gala in 2021.

Jordan was a past member of the Board of Councilors for the Historical Society of
Pennsylvania, a former president of the Center City Residents Association, a board
member and treasurer of the Old Pine Conservancy and Historic Rittenhouse Town, and
a board member of the Associated Services for the Blind and Visually Handicapped. He
was a current or former member of the Society of St. George of Philadelphia, the Social
Register, the Black Tie Club International and the World Affairs Council; a volunteer for
Episcopal Community Services; and a longtime supporter of the Free Library of
Philadelphia, the Philadelphia Art Museum, the Assemblies Ball and the Curtis Institute
of Music.
It was often said of Jordan that he knew nearly everyone in Philadelphia’s cultural and
social circles, and that his knowledge of the city and its history was unsurpassed. He
maintained a large circle of friends who cherished him for his natural charm,
graciousness, generosity and good humor. Jordan reserved a special devotion to his
family, including his siblings and cousins. He doted particularly on his four nieces and
nephews, to whom he was the fun-loving Uncle Will and an eager companion for
exploring Philadelphia’s wealth of museums and historic sites.
Jordan was preceded in death by his parents, William Jordan and Theresa Jordan, nee
Ambruso. He is survived by his brother, Eugene Jordan, and sister-in-law Denise Tini
Jordan, of Washington Township, N.J.; his sister, Maryanne Jordan Warrick, and
brother-in-law, Joby Warrick, of Centreville, Va.; nieces Amanda Jordan Ferraiolo, of
Blackwood, N.J., and Victoria Warrick O’Neill, of Stamford, Ct.; nephews Robert
Jordan, of Los Angeles, Calif., and Andrew Warrick, of Middletown, Va.; great-nephews
and nieces Luca, Dominic, Sophia and Olivia Ferraiolo; numerous cousins, including
first-cousins Angela Marano and Theresa DeCero and Joseph and Lillian Marano; and a
beloved rescue cat, Oliver.
A memorial service will be held at 12 p.m. Wednesday, June 5, at St Mark’s Church, at
1625 Locust St. Donations, if desired, should be made to the Philadelphia charity of your
choice.