Eugene Philip GRISANTI

GRISANTI, Eugene Philip
Eugene Philip Grisanti, former CEO of International Flavors and Fragrances and notable supporter of some of New York's most significant cultural institutions, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2017, after a long and valiant battle with multiple myeloma. A resident of Jupiter, FL when he died, he is survived by a large and beloved family: his wife of 26 years, Gretchen Schoenhof Grisanti; his children by first wife Anne Couming Grisanti, Mary Lee, Christopher and Eugene Paul, as well as five granddaughters, Rebecca Benson, Noel, Antonia, Eliza and Victoria Grisanti. He is also beloved of his three stepchildren Paul, Karen, and Jane Cormier, and his five step-grandchildren, Naomi, Maya, Enzo, Kaia and Yuma. He is also survived by a sister, Elizabeth, and a brother, Richard. Gene was the child of an immigrant, with his father emigrating from Sicily. Gene was born in Buffalo, NY, attended Canisius High School, Holy Cross College, and Boston University and Harvard Law Schools. He began his career with the law firm Fulton, Walter and Halley and became the general counsel for a firm he incorporated, International Flavors and Fragrances. IFF became the largest flavor and fragrance company in the world, and Gene worked there for 38 years, rising to CEO and Chairman of the Board, before retiring in 1999. He was a passionate patron of the arts in New York City, serving on the boards of The New York City Ballet (where he was chairman), the New York Botanical Garden (vice-chairman), The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and The Metropolitan Opera. Gene was also an avid lifelong learner, with deep respect for the sciences. He not only served on the boards of The Rockefeller University, The Ambrose Monell Foundation and The G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation, but took every opportunity to study the groundbreaking work done by these doctors, scientists and researchers. In the last few years, there was nothing more important to him than his service on the board of The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. A donation to the MMRF in lieu of flowers is not expected but would be a fitting remembrance. There will be a private funeral for immediate family and a public memorial service will be held at a date to be announced.
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