Elliott Wilder Gumaer Jr.

Mike was born in Rochester, NY, on Jan. 9, 1933, to Elliott W. Gumaer and Marion Eaton Gumaer. He graduated from Phillips Exeter Academy in 1951, Harvard College in 1955 and Cornell Law School in 1958. He was admitted to the New York State Bar that same year. He then joined the Rochester, NY, law firm of Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle, LLP (now Nixon Peabody, LLP). Mike became a partner in 1964 and focused on tax, estate and trust law, becoming a trusted advisor to individuals, families, businesses and charitable foundations. He retired as a senior partner and was a member of the American College of Estate and Trust Counsel.

In 1980, Mike married Lucia Gordon Williams and together they lived in Rochester, Nantucket and Sea Island, GA. Their love of adventure allowed them to travel the world.

Mike’s service to others was not limited to the practice of law. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, NY, where he served as a member of the vestry. Mike was dedicated to the University of Rochester. In 1972 he became a voting trustee, 1995 a senior trustee and 2000 a life trustee. As a board member, he served on Development, Executive, External Affairs and Nominations & Board Practices committees. In addition, he served as a member of the university’s management team for the School of Medicine. He was especially passionate about the Eastman School of Music, where he served as chair. Mike was president of Genesee Hospital, president of the Hillside Children’s Home, a board member of the Genesee Country Museum and an officer of the Monroe County Republican Finance Committee. He was also a member and president of the Country Club of Rochester.

During Mike’s senior year at Harvard, he was introduced to Nantucket by friends and continued his love for the island, spending every summer there for the rest of his life. Mike was a board member of the Sankaty Head Golf Club and a member of the Nantucket Yacht Club, where he served as commodore from 1991-1993. In addition he was a member of Ocean Reef Club and Key Largo Anglers Club.

He never feared charting a new course and loved spending time on the water tossing plugs for bluefish. He enjoyed tennis, rounds of golf at Sankaty, being captain of the 200 Club, sailing and beach time with family and friends. Mike was a Wharf Rat, where he enjoyed the topics of the day and telling stories on Old North Wharf.

Mike loved being a resident of Sea Island, GA, and the Golden Isles where he was a member of Christ Church Frederica, Rotary Club of St. Simons, Sea Island Club and Ocean Forest Golf Club. Most recently, Mike and Lucia led the development of Gumaer Gardens at Nunnally House, dedicated in October 2017, to provide a beautiful and serene setting for hope, health and healing. The Nunnally House and gardens are a complimentary residential facility for cancer patients undergoing treatment and families of critical care patients at Southeast Georgia Health System.

Mike is survived by his wife, Lucia; his sister, Claire Curtis; his children Josephine “Dodie” Gumaer (Michael Whelan), Elliott “Mike” Gumaer III (Christine) and Peter Gumaer (Amy); their mother, Marcia Bates; and two grandsons, Joseph and Timothy Gumaer; stepsons, Gordon Williams (Alex), Drew Williams (Heidi) and their six children, Walker, Margaret, Tucker, Arden, Ella and Lily Williams.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mike’s memory to Gumaer Gardens at Nunnally House in care of Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation, 2415 Parkwood Drive, Brunswick, GA 31520.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date on Sea Island.