Bernard Freeborn "Bernie" Wilbur Jr.

9/13/1926 - 7/19/2024

Hartford - Bernard "Bernie" Freeborn Wilbur Jr. was born Sept. 13, 1926, he passed away July 19, 2024. He was the son of Bernard F. Wilbur Sr. and Wilma (Rau) Wilbur. He is predeceased by his wife Ruth; and sisters, Eleanor Silverio of Plainville, and Janet Cosby of Richmond, Va. He is sorely missed by his son Ben; daughter-in-law Donna; granddaughter Kelley; and grand-dog Falcon.

Bernie graduated from Hall High School in 1945, and upon graduation he entered the U.S. Navy and served aboard the USS Randolph. Upon separation, he entered Trinity College under the G.I. Bill, graduating in 1950. He remained active with the Trinity Club of Hartford, president of the National Alumni Association, served on the Board of Fellows, and was recipient of the Alumni Medal for excellence.

After graduation, he joined Phoenix Mutual and became manager of the Hartford Mortgage Office. During his employment at Phoenix, he was recalled to the Navy to serve during the Korean War. He went to O.C.S., served aboard the USS Lette, and was separated as a lieutenant. He subsequently moved to Connecticut Bank and Trust and served as assistant vice president before joining Hartford Insurance Group from which he retired as senior vice president in their Investment Department.

On Dec. 27, 1952, he married Ruth Grady whom he met while working at Phoenix Mutual. During his business career, he was active in many professional and civic organizations, nationally, on the state level and locally. He was chairman of the National Advisory Board of Commonwealth Title, vice chairman of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Managers, served on the National Counsel of the Boy Scouts of America, was a member of the Urban Land Institute, and a member of the Building Owners and Managers Association. Within the State of Connecticut, he was a member of the State Treasurers Investment Advisory Council, president of the Connecticut Chapter, Appraisers Institute (MAI designation) and director of the Connecticut Business Development Corporation. Locally, he was president of the Connecticut River Council, B.S.A. and a recipient of the Silver Beaver award, director of the Hartford Chapter, American Red Cross, chairman of The Construction Institute of the University of Hartford and recipient of its Man of the Year Award, director of the Hartford Architecture Conservancy, board member of the Channel 3 Country Camp, secretary of the board of Saint Francis Hospital and recipient of their Spirit Award, chairman of the board of Tax Review for West Hartford, president of St. Mary Foundation, and a longtime member of the Old Guard.

An active golfer and part-time Florida resident, he was member of the Hartford Golf Club, New London Country Club and Hammock Dunes Club in Florida. The family would especially like to extend its thanks to the staff at the McAuley for the care he received.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Connecticut River Council, B.S.A at Support Scouting - Connecticut Rivers Council (ctscouting.org)

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, July 26, at St. James Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery. Friends and family may call from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford. Directions and online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com.