John Anthony Tobin

 John A. Tobin, 50, of Philadelphia, a lawyer and software company president, died July 6 of cancer at Penn Hospice at Rittenhouse.

He was diagnosed a year ago and stayed active until just before his death.

Born in Boston and reared in the Boston suburbs, Mr. Tobin graduated from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School in 1987 with a bachelor of science degree in economics, and earned a degree from Penn's law school in 1992.

After law school, he worked as a corporate and entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles, specializing in legal matters involving movies, TV, music transactions, and licensing agreements.

In the mid-1990s, he returned to Philadelphia, "his favorite home after Cape Cod," he told friends.

In June 2000 he began a career at Astea International Inc., a software services company in Horsham. He was the firm's president, general counsel, and secretary. He had been appointed to Astea's board of directors in May 2012, and was responsible for general management of the company, along with handling legal affairs and various development initiatives.

Before joining Astea, Mr. Tobin worked at the Philadelphia law firms Pepper Hamilton LLP and Wolf, Block, Schorr & Solis-Cohen LLP, specializing in corporate transactions and intellectual property.

Mr. Tobin, who lived in Bella Vista, was an avid reader, world traveler, and ardent supporter of the local theater scene. He had a passion for music, and regularly attended South by Southwest (SXSW), the film and music festival in Austin, Texas.

Mr. Tobin, whose mother, Corinne, was a librarian, delighted in seeking out the facts of any situation. "He had a very intoxicating laugh. He was a very engaging person," said best friend Rodney V. Robinson.

Mr. Tobin never married. In addition to his mother and best friend, he is survived by a brother, Ed; a sister, Amy Bolster; a niece; and nephews.

At his request, there will be no formal services. Rather, he will be cremated and his ashes scattered near his family's home in Cape Cod during a private ceremony in September.

bcook@phillynews.com