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Worth Loomis, leader in local and international communities, died at the age of 94, at the Caleb Hitchcock Health Center of the Duncaster Retirement Community in Bloomfield, Connecticut on July 20, 2017. Born May 18, 1923 in New York City to Priscilla and Alfred F Loomis, he grew up in Manhattan and West Hills in Huntington, NY, attending Buckley School and Deerfield Academy. He graduated from Yale University (BS '45 W), his education being interrupted by his services in the Army Air force during WWII. In addition, he graduated from the NYU School of Business (MBA 1955). He married Louise Harding Earle in 1950. He had an illustrious career in business, starting with a stint with the International Development Company in Istanbul, Turkey. He moved to Cleveland in 1951, where he worked for the Clevite Corporation and subsequently the Medusa Cement Company. In 1970 he relocated to Hartford Connecticut to join the Dexter Corporation, where he was president from 1973 until his retirement in 1988. Not content to retire in leisure, Worth had a second career in education, working for 5 years as the President of the Hartford Graduate Center (now Rensselaer Hartford), and then from 1993 to 2008 teaching as a visiting professor of business ethics at the Hartford Seminary, where he also served as interim dean for two years. He was actively engaged in community events wherever he lived, with a special concern for the role of corporations in the civic lives of their communities. In Cleveland he was actively engaged in the civil rights movement where he was Vice Chair of the Cleveland subcommittee of the United States Commission on Civil Rights, 1966. In addition he served on the Cleveland Heights School Board for four years. In Hartford, he was considered a 'Bishop' of the city, helping found Leadership Greater Hartford, and serving on numerous community and corporate boards, including The Hartford Public Library, Trinity College, The Artists Collective, The World Affairs Council, Hartford Steam Boiler Company, and Colt Firearms, among others. As a scion of an ocean sailing family, Worth was in demand as a crew member, and sailed in many ocean races, including eight Bermuda Races, the Transatlantic, the Transpacific, The Fastnet and The Sydney Hobart races. He was a member of the Century Association, the Society of the Cincinnati, the Cruising Club of America, the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Ausable Club. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Louise, five children (Lucy Loomis, from Denver Colorado, Ruth Loomis of Los Angeles, Alfred Loomis of New York City, Charles Loomis of Philadelphia and Charlotte Loomis of San Diego), and 9 grandchildren. Not captured in his list of accomplishments was his inspirational joie de vivre, and interest in arts and music. He was known for breaking out in song in church or on other occasions, performing in musicals in a local theater company (The West End Players), and enjoying painting watercolors of favorite vacation haunts. After thirty-seven years in Hartford, Worth and Louise moved to the Duncaster Retirement Community in Bloomfield in 2008. During the last three years of his life, Worth resided at the Caleb Hitchcock Health Center, receiving attentive and loving care, for which is family is most grateful. Visiting hours will be held from 4-7pm on Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Sigourney St., Hartford. A service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 2, 2017 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 120 Sigourney St., Hartford. In lieu of flowers, or other durable items, charitable donations can made in his name to Trinity Episcopal Church (Hartford) and the Hartford Seminary. Arrangements are being handled by The Ahern Funeral Homes, Inc., www.ahernfuneralhome.com.
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Hi Louise,
We met at Worth's services and I am delighted to say that I am working on realizing Worth's dream and vision of Hartford lifting up Hartford.
Jim Cantoni
Founder, Realizing Dreams
'91 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Jim Cantoni
December 8, 2017
I had the pleasure of working with Worth at Dexter's for many years. You are in my thoughts and prayers
Linda Lee Boucher
August 1, 2017
Hi Louise
I met Worth in 1985 in my first year of business school at Yale. He was very generous with his time and his manner invited serious discussion.
I posed a question to him about a business dilemma and he responded by making reference to Soren Kierkegaard and the importance of human suffering in the acquisition of wisdom. The important thing, he said, was to let the dilemma bother you....to let it churn your guts; to suffer with it....then, whatever you do, you wont go too far wrong.
I decided in that moment that I wanted him to be my boss.
I spent the next 18 months cultivating that relationship and just before graduation, Worth made me an offer.....a bit less money than another offer I had received (Worth was ever a frugal manager), but the one I wanted. I worked with him till he retired, and until 8 or 9 years ago when his memory started to go, we had lunch every few months long after we had both left Dexter.
He was a fine person, a great model and the best boss I ever had. I carry him with me still.
My thoughts are with you and your family.
Kevin Lake
Kevin
July 31, 2017
Dear Loomis Family:
Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one.
Sincerely,
Retired President,
P.J Lodola & Sons Inc
Paul Lodola
July 30, 2017
To the Family of Worth Loomis,
I joined Dexter Corporation in 1987 and met Worth. I will never forget his kindness and his genuine interest in the people that worked at Dexter. May he rest in peace.
Beth Holcomb
July 30, 2017
Dear Louise and Family,
It was with great surprise and regret that I read of Worth's passing this morning in the New York Times. I was a high school student and the organist at St. John's Episcopal Church in Napoleon, Ohio, when the Loomis family arrived in town. They brought the exoticism and energy of the East Coast to my small home town, and next year I celebrate 50 years of living in New York City. Your legacy is more far-reaching that you can ever realize.
Sincerely,
Tom Cuff
July 30, 2017
To the Loomis clan,
We all know that Worth was an extraordinary man. In part, I think because he was that rare person who had both a big heart and great brain. I'll always cherish our singing and (attempts at) acting together. What a rich legacy he leaves!...thinking of you all.
Paul Tieger
Paul Tieger
July 29, 2017
Worth was a tremendous trustee of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and always available. His generosity and commitment to the church continued long after his tenure as a trustee. He was lots of fun and always had a twinkle in his eye. I regret that I am away and unable to celebrate his life with you. May God surround you and your family in the coming days.
Pam Wesley
July 27, 2017
My sincere condolences to the family &friends of
Worth Loomis. He was loved
By the Hartford Community
for Grassroots Activism & Htfd. Seminary Work.Remember
To be ABSENT from this BODY is to be PRESENT with GOD.
2 Cor.5-8(KJV)Amen.
Evangelist Vivian Countryman-Bailey,BMP
July 26, 2017
Worth was one of the finest men I ever had the pleasure to meet. His life serves as a role model for everyone. He is gone but will never be forgotten by anyone who ever met him.
JOSH SILVER
July 26, 2017
So terribly sorry to hear the news of Worth's passing. He was a dynamic neighbor who had a long successful career and adventurous life! Always with a smile and a kind word, my prayers for healing go out to the Loomis family. He will live on in the hearts of all who knew him and continue to inspire those who relay his stories and hold them dear. RIP xoxoxo
Beth Hirschfeld
July 25, 2017
Dear Charlotte, My heart is filled with sorrow upon hearing the news of your father's passing. My most sincere condolences go out to you and your family. Sincerely, Lisa
Lisa Steckert
Friend
July 25, 2017
Dear Lou .... I was so sad to read of Worth's passing. It was my special privilege and pleasure to have known you both--through your creative thinking programs and his many contributions to the community. I will never forget Worth singing with his barbershop quartet at a fundraiser I organized years ago. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Sincerely, Ethel
Ethel Fried
July 25, 2017
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