John William Humphrey

Humphrey, John William. A beloved family man and business and community leader, John passed away on May 12, 2022 at the age of 84. In life, John was nothing less than a giant, with an enduring commitment to a wide range of civic, educational and cultural institutions. He leaves behind a lasting legacy globally and in the City of Boston, where he resided. John was born in Des Moines, Iowa on June 20, 1937. He was the second son of James Arthur Humphrey, a physician, and Emeline Atkinson Humphrey, an educator, as well as a devoted brother to his best friend and lifelong business partner, James “Jim” Humphrey. After graduating from Iowa State University in 1959 with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering and having served as the President of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, John enlisted in the United States Navy, where he discovered his cosmic love for the seas, serving to Lieutenant until 1962. He then matriculated to Harvard Business School, from which he graduated with great pride in 1964. Following graduation, John began to chart his own course in the community with great vigor. After working at Formulast and then International Business Machines Corporation, John served as a Vice President and Director of the Sterling Institute from 1966 to 1971. Then, he found his true calling in business as an entrepreneur. In 1971, John co-founded the Forum Corporation, which helped clients develop learning strategies and solutions and deploy their brands. Forum pioneered the concept of outsourcing training organizations and managed the training organizations for many of the Fortune 1000. Over a vibrant 29 years, he served as the Chairman and CEO until the Company’s sale to FTKnowledge, a division of Pearson PLC, in July 2000. Never one to live with anything less than a full cup, John and his brother also acquired Nelson Metal Products in 1984. The Company served as an automotive supplier of die castings and was a three-time General Motors Supplier of the year. The Humphrey brothers grew the business considerably for 15 years before selling it to J.L. French in 1999. Ever a believer that a job worth doing is worth doing well, John founded private equity investment firm Humphrey Enterprises in 2002 to build on his entrepreneurial successes and invest capital and operational expertise in companies across the automotive, healthcare, and training and education industries.

While his entrepreneurial endeavors were his passion, his family’s love, education, and spiritual wellbeing were his purpose and always came first…followed closely by sailing and the Red Sox. John was a devoted member of the vestry and stewardship committee at Trinity Church. He also served as the first Chair of the Board of Governors of the American Society of Training and Development and was the 1998 Chair of ASTD's Board of Directors. In 1992, he received the Society's highest award, the Gordon M. Bliss Award. John also served as founding President of the Instructional Systems Association, a trade association of firms providing instructional systems. In constant service of others, John was also active on the board of several not-for-profit organizations including as Chairman of the Lifespan Research Foundation, an involved trustee of Skidmore, Simmons and Wilson Colleges, the Co-Chair of the Advisory Board of the Arts in Education Program and on the Dean’s Council of the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and as Chairman Emeritus of the Boston Ballet, one of his greatest civic and artistic pursuits. John was Chairman of the Board for 14 years, a trustee for a total of 30, and instrumental in developing the Boston Ballet School into the largest such school in North America. Throughout the years, he impacted many organizations and individuals, and drove transformational change in their trajectories and lives. He was a man who was known by many for giving so much of himself, his time and for his generosity, which knew no bounds. Many often remarked that, “no matter what he touched, it got better.”

When not serving his community or pursuing his entrepreneurial endeavors, John could often be found aboard one of his greatest treasures, his sailing yacht of more than 20 years, Wild Thing. An avid sailor, he was never more alive than on a ‘sparkle plenty’ day spent at sea, and adored his summers on Buzzard’s Bay and the green, granite and dark blue coast of Maine, his winters in Antigua and navigating the islands and crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, and his many trips to the Mediterranean and beyond. If his two feet were firmly planted on dry land, he preferred them in the stands at Fenway Park. A lifelong fan and 50-year season ticket holder of the Boston Red Sox, John could often be found manually keeping score of the games, covered in peanut shells. Notwithstanding, he loved all Boston sports and took great pride in living in the city of Champions, often remarking that the streets were paved with gold! When not in Boston, he relished time spent in his enchanting and verdant wild flower garden in South Dartmouth, Massachusetts, which he considered the high side of fabulous. Basking in the morning light and amongst his favorite lilies of the valley, John found great peace and purpose through the many seasons of life nurturing his garden and feeding his soul. With his captivating wit, devotion to faith, education and family as his cornerstone, he was a force of good, a mentor to many, and a friend to all. His voice and his laugh will echo through the halls of 131 Commonwealth (“131derful”) eternally, as his much-cherished girls pass around his loving cup, and he will live on through his many friends and family, forevermore. And at the end of all loving and love, may the Man above, give John a crown.

He is survived by his loving wife Pamela, to whom he was married for 41 years, his brother James, his dearest daughters Victoria Humphrey, Joanna Humphrey Flynn (Bryan), Caroline Humphrey Clifford (Christian), and grandchildren Grayson and Henry Flynn and Charlotte Clifford. Funeral services for Mr. Humphrey will be private. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at 10am at the Trinity Church in the City of Boston, 206 Clarendon St., Boston, MA 02116. The Service will be available to live stream at: www.trinitychurchboston.org/live-worship In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lifespan Research Foundation (One Beacon Street, Suite 2320, Boston, MA 02108), Boston Ballet (Development Department, 19 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116, or Trinity Church (206 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116). *Thou hast given us so much, give us one more thing, a grateful heart.*