JOEL SMILOW

Oh how I miss Joel and his sage advice and humour. We need you Joel!

i worked at Playtex under Three presidents who reported to Joel ( CEO ) from September 1974 until October 1983 when i left for another company as CEO . 2 months later after i left , Joel sent me a letter asking me to " come back to my Alma Mater (Playtex ) " and a letter that i cherish. He gave me direction and Bussiness savy .I presented to him my P&L operation at the budget review meeting and at the midyear review, and he prevented me from straying from our bussiness mission. He was...

I am one of hundreds if not thousands whose lives have been saved through the extraordinary generosity of Joel Smilow in funding the well known Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale. Months after recovering from a remarkable 24 hour cancer operation at Smilow in a meeting with the Dean I learned there were only 3 surgeons in the entire country that could have provided a positive outcome. And two of them were at Smilow. We in CT and far beyond are forever grateful to the late Joel Smilow for funding...

A friend of his daughters, Margie and Debbie, and Margie´s wife Takami, this connection brought me to an appreciation of your lige while I was a public radio reporter at Connecticut Public. I wanted to thank your family for giving as much as you did, for supporting your children as you did. So many will be grateful for your generosity, including me. I never drive past Smilow Cancer Center without awe. Thank you, thank you, to you, your gamily, including my deat friends Margie Similow and Takami

Please know, Mrs. Smilow, I'm heartbroken for your loss. What a treasure of a boss he was! I served very happily as his secretary at Playtex for about a year and appreciated his standards, kindness, and respectful treatment of me beyond measure. His generosity to the benefit of so many will be felt forever. What a giant he was!

Dear Joan, I was so sorry to hear of Joel's (Mr. Smilow to me) passing. It brought back so many memories of living next door to you in Westport. I'm glad I got to see you both again at Stephanie's (my sister Carol's daughter) engagement party. Joel was a very generous man, but I loved when you quipped, "He likes to see his name on buildings." My condolences to you and your family. Warmly, Susan

His generosity to Yale Football, the broader Yale community, and greater New Haven will long be remembered. Thank you, Joel, and rest in peace.

As one of the "too many to count" Yale football players who benefitted immeasurably from Mr. Smilow's philanthropy, I can only say a profoundly heartfelt THANK YOU for your lifetime of helping others! May Mrs. Smilow and the entire Smilow family take some comfort in the knowledge that this man will forever be revered as a GIANT among Yale's benefactors. With love, Brian Clarke Yale '74