Maloney Announces Road-Naming Ceremony for DeLight Breidegam Jr.

March 2, 2017

HARRISBURG – Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) today announced that a private ceremony designating a portion of State Route 1010 in Berks County as the DeLight Breidegam Jr. Memorial Highway will be held on Friday, March 17, at East Penn Manufacturing Co., Lyon Station location.

Maloney has invited all of his Berks County colleagues to attend the event. DeLight Jr.’s wife, Helen Breidegam, and son, Dan Breidegam (Chairman of East Penn), will also be in attendance.

“It was truly an honor to sponsor House Bill 1996 to name State Route 1010 in honor of a successful businessman who gave so much back to the community in which he grew up,” Maloney said. “DeLight Breidegam Jr.’s life was the essence of a true servant-leader in our community. His legacy not only resides in the remarkable organization he founded and built, but also in the countless lives he touched and inspired.”

“Berks County and the people here meant so much to my dad,” said his son, Dan Breidegam. “Throughout his life and travels, this was the place he always called home. This road was special to him. It connected his world. We are very thankful to Representative Maloney and all who helped to make this a reality. This is a most wonderful way to pay tribute to DeLight.”

Maloney drafted House Bill 1996 after Mr. Breidegam, the founder of East Penn Manufacturing, died on Sept. 9, at the age of 88. Born on Oct. 3, 1926, in Fleetwood, Berks County, DeLight was the youngest of three and the only boy. Upon his completion of High School, he joined the Army Aviation Corps serving our country until his discharge. During the last several months of his service, DeLight Jr. would envision the business plans he would later develop with his father. After the war, DeLight Jr. and his father rented an old creamery for $10 a month and set about repairing and then making small batteries – eventually their dreams would become a remarkable reality as one of the world’s largest battery manufacturers and the area’s largest employer.

DeLight Jr. was widely respected not only for growing East Penn Manufacturing, which many folks know as Deka Battery, into a manufacturing giant, but also for his commitment to community, his employees and ethical business practices.

Representative David Maloney
130th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Charles Lardner
717.260.6443
clardner@pahousegop.com
RepMaloney.com