Lane Bradley Fike

You probably didn’t know Lane Fike, but if you lived in Philadelphia, you were likely impacted positively by his service to the city. Lane worked as a civil engineer in Philly’s bridge department for thirty-five years, working his way up the ranks to eventually become the project manager for several major undertakings, including the South Street pedestrian bridge connecting Front Street to Penn’s Landing and the restoration of the Strawberry Mansion Bridge. His final project was the new South Street bridge, connecting Grey’s Ferry to University City.

After retiring from the city, Lane joined the Schuylkill River Development Corporation as project manager, and oversaw all recent developments along the Schuylkill Banks, from the pedestrian path to the now-iconic boardwalk. He hoped to live long enough to see the completion of the final stage: a bridge connecting the Schuylkill Banks to Bartram’s Gardens.

Lane’s dedication to the city was only eclipsed by his dedication to his family. Walking to and from work every day, he moved quickly, with a bounce in his step, to ensure he spent quality time with the family every night. He shared his lifelong passions of baseball, nature, engineering, woodworking, and photography with his boys taking special care to explain what he found fascinating in each.

Friends and family knew Lane as the man who could do it all. In the basement of a tiny colonial trinity, Lane constructed most of the family furniture, displaying a passion for carpentry that was instilled at a young age. Guests loved his “Fike Martini,” which, secret’s out, was simply gin served in a martini glass served just cold enough to not be ice. And anyone fortunate enough to hear him speak publicly was in awe of his ability to have them hanging on every word. Funny, poignant, contemplative: he could always get the reaction he was looking for. While he never sought a career as a professional comedian, he jokingly took pride in being “published” after winning The New Yorker cartoon caption contest.

Lane passed away doing something he loved: watching the Eagles with his family. When he passed, the Eagles were tied with the Rams 13-13, and a short time later they were up 28-15. His family believes Lane had something to do with this.

Lane is survived by his twin sister, Connie, his brother, Gary, his wife of fifty-three years, Denise, two sons, Hunter and Tyler, their wives, Danielle and Michele, and five grandchildren who he absolutely adored: James, Ansel, Sonia, Archer and Theo.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Lane's memorial visitation, Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Gloria Dei Swedes Church, 916 S Swanson St. Philadelphia, PA 19147, from 10:00am - 11:00am. Followed by the memorial service at 11:00am.