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CARROLL WAINWRIGHT Obituary

WAINWRIGHT--Carroll, Jr.

Wainwright, Jr., Carroll Livingston died peacefully on September 26 following an extraordinarily full life of over 90 years. He leaves his beloved wife of 68 years, Nina, his two sons, D. Walker Wainwright and Mark L. Wainwright and their respective spouses, Alice and Mimi, four grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Carroll (Sonny) Wainwright, Jr. was born in New York on December 28, 1925. At the early age of eight he demonstrated a love of adventure and independence by stowing away on the Queen of Bermuda. After service as a Marine Corps pilot during World War II, he graduated from Yale University (1949) and Harvard Law School (1952). Except for a brief period from 1959 to June 1960 when he served as Assistant General Counsel to Governor Nelson Rockefeller in Albany, he spent his entire legal career at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy where he became a partner in 1963. His practice focused on trusts, estates and not-for-profit institutions. He was significantly involved in Rockefeller family interests, including acting as the lead lawyer at the time of The Rockefeller Group's sale of Rockefeller Center to Mitsubishi Estate Company in 1989. His clients included many of New York's most prominent not-for-profit institutions including the American Museum of Natural History, Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, the New York Community Trust, The Church Pension Group and Vassar College. He also served on the Boards of Trustees of many of these organizations, including The Boys' Club of New York whose Board he led from 1986 to 1994, the American Museum of Natural History where he was a Trustee from 1968 to 1994, Cooper Union where he was a Trustee from 1970 to 1995, the Edward John Noble Foundation, the United States Trust Company (1981 to 1998), the Church Pension Group, the University Council of Yale University and the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. He served on the Vestry of Trinity Church Wall Street (1983 to 1990) and St. Luke's Church in East Hampton, New York. From 1990 to 1997 he was an Adjunct Professor at The Washington and Lee University School of Law. He served as a member of the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct from the Commission's inception in 1974 to 1983. He also served as Treasurer and Vice-President of the New York City Bar Association. One board colleague describes his service as being characterized by the sense of decency he brought and that his character and reputation were integral to the entity he was serving. He was President of the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, New York (1970-1973) and the Down Town Association (1985-1992). Through his service on the Board of the Greater Yellowstone Coalition he played an instrumental role in the reintroduction of the wolves to the Greater Yellowstone region despite his owning a cattle ranch in Montana's Centennial Valley. A skilled squash player, fisherman and duck hunter, he was always in excellent physical condition. He routinely walked up the forty-four stories to his office at Chase Manhattan Plaza to prepare for climbing and hiking vacations. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to The Boys' Club of New York, 287 East 10th Street, New York, NY 10009.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Sep. 29, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
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Bryan Quinones

September 23, 2022

Mr wainwright you remain in my memories of the past your family was so kind excellent people to work for sincerely Bryan quinones

Bryan

September 26, 2020

Me wainwright was a quality man who I’ll never forget he was an inspiration to me and helped me tremendously he was a great man with a soft soul terribly missed I was his landscaper for years

October 5, 2016

What a wonderful life and man. There will never be another one like him. My sincerest condolences.

Caroline Byrd

September 29, 2016

Our deepest condolences from all of us at the Greater Yellowstone Coalition. Sonny was an important part of our story and a much cherished member of our organization. Across the board, everyone remembers him as a true gentleman, brilliant thinker and great addition to the Centennial Valley ranching community. We greatly appreciate all he has given to this part of the world, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Sincerely,
Caroline Byrd
Executive Director
Greater Yellowstone Coalition

September 29, 2016

I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Wainwright at Milbank for twenty years. He was a true gentleman and treated everyone with kindness and and respect. Condolences to his family.

Kathie Jones-Silber

Cinda Lawrence

September 29, 2016

Deep condolences to all the family and friends of Sonny Wainwright. He was so beloved at The Boys' Club of New York and we are eternally grateful for all he did for our boys for so many years. We will miss him greatly - sending much love to you all at this sad time. Much love, Cinda

September 29, 2016

My condolences to the family during this sad time. May you find comfort in God's promise at John 6:40 as you remember fond times with your loved one.

Bryan Quinones

September 29, 2016

My dearest friend sonny ,my condolences go out to your family in this time of need , just wanted to express what you have always meant to me with pleasure I've been your landscaper for many years and you've e always treated me with respect as a friend not an employee I have tremendous respect for you and your family mr wainwright I will continue to service your property the way you like it no worries my friend it has been a pleasure for me to know you now soar the sky's my friend environmental associates landscape inc

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