John Milton Sapinsley

SAPINSLEY, JOHN MILTON, 89, professor, mentor, businessman, philanthropist, World War II veteran, champion golfer, avid skier, wonderful husband, father, and grandfather, died of cancer at home in Providence, R.I. on February 29 . His extraordinary talent for inspiring others to reach their full potential was evident in his professional career as a professor of economics and management at R.I. College and Brown University, as well as in his personal life as the husband and campaign manager of former R.I. State Senator Lila M. Sapinsley. He was a source of unwavering confidence and support for his family and for his students, many of whom remained in touch with him and sought his advice long after they had graduated.

Born on April 10, 1922 to Elsa and Milton Sapinsley in Providence, John graduated from Hope High School and was admitted to Brown University at the age of 16. Following graduation from Brown magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in 1942, he enlisted in the Navy, and was put in command of an LCT, a vessel designed to land tanks on enemy beaches. When he received orders to report overseas, John and Lila, who was the love and light of his life for almost 70 years, were married at the Naval Base in Norfolk, Virginia. During World War II John served in North Africa, Sicily, Anzio, and Normandy, survived the destruction of two of his landing crafts by enemy fire, and was promoted to Lieutenant Commander.

After the war, John and Lila returned to Providence, where they raised four daughters, Jill, Carol, Joan, and Patricia, and John became President of the Crescent Company, later named the Carol Cable Company, an electrical wire and cable business started by his father. He was a member and served on the board of the Young Presidents’ Association, an organization of executives who become presidents of major companies before they reach the age of 40. When he was 43, John retired from Carol Cable, returned to Brown to pursue a graduate degree in economics, and began his second career as a professor of economics at R. I. College, where he also served for a time as the Vice President for Academic Affairs. John retired from RIC as an Associate Professor in 1987, but continued to teach economics part-time at Brown until 1995 and then became an advisor in the Small Business Association’s SCORE program, where he counseled many fledgling entrepreneurs who benefited from his knowledge and business experience.

Following family tradition, John was also very active in community affairs, serving on the boards of Miriam Hospital, the ACLU, Roger Williams College, the Small Business Association, the R.I Public Expenditure Council, as a founding director of Common Cause of Rhode Island, and as founding Executive Director of the R.I. Council for Economic Education. He also served as president of the Walker’s Pond Conservation Society to protect his beloved Conway Lake in New Hampshire, where he and Lila built a vacation home and enjoyed many happy years. John and Lila’s love for the performing arts led them to endow a theater at Rhode Island College, which is named Lila and John Sapinsley Hall in their honor.

In addition to his wife and four daughters, John leaves four sons-in-law: James Mooney, Alan Rubenstein, Richard Lewis, and Harold Levy; nine grandchildren: Robin, Caitlin, and Jay Mooney; David and Julie Rubenstein; Zachary and Samuel Lewis; and Hannah and Noah Levy; and his sister Jane S. Nelson. Donations may be made in memory of John M. Sapinsley to Rhode Island College, 600 Mount Pleasant Avenue, Providence, R.I. 02908 or Common Cause of Rhode Island, 245 Waterman St., Suite 400A, Providence, R.I. 02906. Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, March 2 at Temple Beth-El, 70 Orchard Avenue, Providence. The family will receive callers in the Temple Beth-El Meeting Hall immediately following the service, and at Laurelmead, 355 Blackstone Blvd., Providence, from 5 to 8 PM on Saturday, March 3.