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Obituary for Harry G. Hohn

Harry G.  Hohn
Harry George Hohn, 84, of White Plains, NY, died August 25th 2016 with his family by his side after a short illness. Mr. Hohn was a successful executive and attorney with New York Life Insurance Company for 41 years.

Born March 1, 1932, he was the son of the late Viola (Meehan) and Harry George Hohn Sr. of Pelham, NY.

Mr. Hohn earned a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University, a Master of Laws degree from New York University Graduate School of Law, and a Doctor of Law degree from Fordham University School of Law, where he was also the editor of the Fordham Law review.

Mr. Hohn began his career at New York Life Insurance Company (NYL) in 1956 as an attorney in the legal department. He was promoted to senior vice president and general counsel in 1977 and then to executive vice president and general counsel in 1982. He was elected to the Board of Directors in August 1985 and was named a Vice Chairman of NYL in 1986. Mr. Hohn became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer in August 1990, and held those positions until his retirement in 1997.

Mr. Hohn was a trustee emeritus of The Foundation for Independent Higher Education and served as its chairman from 1990 to 1992. He served on the board of directors of Global Infra-Risk Services and on the board of trustees of the New York City Police Foundation. In addition, Mr. Hohn was a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, a former member of the board of directors of the CKWitco Corporation and a member of the Advisory Board of FondElec Group, Inc. He was past chairman of the board of directors of the American Council of Life Insurance and of the Life Insurance Council of New York, as well as past chairman of the board of trustees of the International Center for the Disabled. Mr. Hohn was a former chairman of the board of trustees for the National AIDS Fund, was a former member of the board of trustees of the Committee for Economic Development, and served on the International Advisory Board of Credit Commercial de France. He was a member of the board of directors of the Life and Health Insurance Medical Research Fund, the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation, and the Insurance Marketplace Standards Association, and served on the board of governors of the United Way of Tri-State. He was also a member of The Business Roundtable. Mr. Hohn was a member of the advisory boards of the North Fork Environmental Council and The Bowery Mission, and was Chairman of the Board of advisors for the Resurrection School in Harlem, New York City.

Upon succeeding Harry Hohn as CEO of NYL , Mr. Sy Sternberg said in a March 1997 press release, “Under Harry Hohn's direction, NYL has successfully diversified and grown into a Fortune 100 company with over $18 billion in annual revenues. In addition to his legacy of financial strength, he has left a company with a reputation for integrity and for putting the customer first. He has left a solid foundation upon which we can build with confidence.”

Additionally, under Harry Hohn’s leadership, NYL became one of the most visible promoters of AIDS awareness in NYC, as well as a generous supporter of the American Foundation for AIDS Research.

Mr. Hohn was a former member of the Scarsdale Golf Club, Fox Meadow Tennis Club, the Union League Club and the North Fork Country Club. Mr. Hohn was active in the Nassau Point Community Association in Southold, NY, where he and his wife built and enjoyed a family compound.

Mr. Hohn was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Janet La Rosa Hohn. He is survived by four daughters: Cynthia O’Leary of New York City, Jennifer Purcell of Bronxville, NY, Nancy Frehill (and son-in-law Frank Frehill) of Scarsdale, NY and Patricia Brehm of Scarsdale, NY, as well as twelve grandchildren: Denis, Kendal and Connor O’Leary, Lauren and Michael Purcell, Frank, James, Clint and Janet Frehill and Hannah, Preston and Kyle Brehm. Mr. Hohn is also survived by his brother, Richard G. Hohn and his wife Mimi of Hawley, PA, his sister Patricia Nicolaysen and her husband Erik of Chappaqua, NY, his sisters-in-law Patricia La Rosa Dumke Thomas of Branford, CT and Debbie La Rosa of Tallahassee, FL, as well as eight nieces and five nephews.

A funeral service will be held September 10th 2016 at 1pm at the Rye Resurrection Church, 910 Boston Post Road in Rye NY. Memorial contributions can be made in Harry Hohn’s honor to CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093 or online at CurePSP.org.
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