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JOEL SMILOW Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for JOEL SMILOW
Sir Martin Sorrell
October 3, 2023
Oh how I miss Joel and his sage advice and humour. We need you Joel!
Fernando Fernandez
September 4, 2022
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 right as always . Once i got to know him well i would have fun with him : when he entered the board room for the presentations i would play the PASODOBLE that is played at the entrance of bullfighters into the bull ring ....he laughed .And once in the middle of my budget review i saw thru the window an earth carver digging up a hole in the back of our building . I asked Joe " Joe ,did you a loose a dime again ". no reaction. His son took a trip thru South America once and Joe asked me for guidance and what places to avoid . I asked him to tell his son to call our distributor in the countries he visited and he did .i kept him , Joe , in the loop as they ( distributors ) reported and some actually kept a close eye on him without him knowing , for his safety . At the end of his trip Joel asked me "was this really neccessary " i did not tell him that yes it was , in some of the countries .Joel loved his family . He was a very fair man and very honest and a great leader. I have never ever forgotten him . And wish i had been in CT when i had my cancer in 2020 . the Joel Smilow canter at Yale would have been my place to go.I have always missed him thru my bussiness life asking myself many times when confronted with a situation " what would Joel do "
Peter I Berman
July 9, 2022
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 one of the nation´s premier cancer hospitals. He will be remembered forever. Especially by those through his generosity had another chance "against all the odds".
Faith Middleton
April 24, 2022
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
WYLIE GIBSON RAAB
February 23, 2022
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!
Susan Jaffe
November 26, 2021
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
Tim R., Yale '97
October 26, 2021
His generosity to Yale Football, the broader Yale community, and greater New Haven will long be remembered. Thank you, Joel, and rest in peace.
Brian Clarke
October 19, 2021
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
Tim and Sandy Day
October 17, 2021
Please accept our heartfelt sympathies for the loss of Joel. He accomplished so much with his life and his generosity is legendary. Joel will be remembered as touching the lives of so many people in a very positive way.
May he rest in peace.
Tim and Sandy Day
Miguel Jimenez
October 13, 2021
My sympathy and condolences to the Smilow Family. I have worked for the last 31 years at Yale New Haven Hospital and for the last 12 at Smilow Cancer center as a Chemotherapy Technician. Thanks to the contributions of Mr. Smilow I get to work in the Flagship of hospital pharmacies. I get to use the most modern equipment and work in the epitome of workplaces. May he rest in peace.
dan pollack
October 12, 2021
such an outstanding & philanthropic life! truly a wonderful role model-sharing his success with so many organizations-dedicated to Yale
Sir Martin Sorrell
October 12, 2021
So sad to hear about Joel. As my first boss, he was always special for me and I´m glad we managed to reconnect for a little time at WPP. My regret is that I didn´t keep in closer contact. All my love and I wish you and your family long life. A wonderful man.
stanley katz
October 11, 2021
Joan, Both Shirley Blaine and I send our deep and sincere condolences to you and your family.
Joel was a wonderful classmate, a lasting friend, and a gentleman beyond reproach.
Stan
Judy Margolis Katz
October 11, 2021
Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. Joel was a giant in the consumer products marketing field as well as in philanthropy. I worked as a research assistant at Glendinning Assoc. from 1966 to 1969, fresh from college with an interest in consumer products marketing. Joel was one of the most senior consultants and set a very high standard for the rest of the staff. When I finished Harvard Business School in 1973, Playtex was looking for assistant product managers, a role that fit my interests and abilities. Knowing Joel was the president of the company told me all I needed to know about the company's standards. It was a great experience. I met and married a lifelong New Yorker shortly after I started at Playtex, so when Playtex announced in 1979 it was moving to Connecticut, I decided to move to a company that would be based in New York long term. In 2006, after I had changed to non-profit development, I got in touch with Joel to learn if he could introduce me to some of his contacts in the field. He most graciously arranged three interviews! I will always be grateful for his leadership and guidance. The world has lost a strong, smart, generous leader.
Sonia Movsas and Renee Serlin
October 11, 2021
We send our heartfelt condolences to Joan, his beloved wife and children Rick, Bill and Susan. We were close and loved Joel's mother Anna Smilow who was a first cousin to our mother Leah Serlin (Kavenoki). We admire his empathy, kindness and generosity to so many institutions.
May his nemory be for a Blessing
Wendy Goldberg Miles
October 11, 2021
May your family be comforted among the mourners of Jerusalem and Zion.
Jan
October 10, 2021
May the God of comfort bring the family peace.
Roger Krakoff
October 9, 2021
So sorry for your loss. Joel was a giant in the business world and well beyond. My father had a lifelong friendship beginning at HBS that blossomed into a long family relationship with Joan & family. He will be greatly missed for his intellect, innovation, unique wit, passion for sports, and social philanthropy.
Billy Romary
October 9, 2021
The Romary family send condolences to our long-time dear friends, the Smilows. Joel will remain an enduring figure in all our lives forever. There´s consolation to be had in knowing Mr Smilow, Mr Howes and Mr & Mrs Romary are all neighbors again. Best friends for life and in the afterlife.
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