James P. Wilmot
Encyclopedia
James P. Wilmot was a pioneer aviation executive, landowner, philanthropist and horse breeder who served as Finance Chairman of the Democratic National Committee
. The James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester is named in his honor.
Jim Wilmot was raised in Rochester, New York, the son of James Butler Wilmot and Josephine O'Leary. His father owned a small chain of clothing stores. Beginning his career as an employee of Rochester Municipal Airport, he started a pilot-training company called Page Airways. The company would grow to become an international aviation sales corporation that was the exclusive agent for Grumman Corp.'s Gulfstream G2 jets.
Mr. Wilmot served as a Corporate Director of Columbia Pictures
and the Irving Trust
in addition to co-founding and running Wilmorite Properties with his brother William F. Wilmot (Wee), the family's real estate development enterprise. He was chairman of the Democratic Party's Finance Committee, and a good friend of such figures as House Speaker Thomas P. Tip O'Neill
, Senator Henry M. 'Scoop' Jackson
and Vice President Hubert Humphrey
, who relaxed at Wilmot's estate after the 1968 Presidential Election campaign.
Along with his brother William, Jim Wilmot was a noted horsebreeder. At one time the Wilmots owned the historic racetrack Freehold Raceway
in New Jersey.In 1974, one of his and his brother's horses, Gold and Myrrh, sired by Damascus
, ran in the 100th Kentucky Derby
, and he met special guest HRH Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. His nephew William B. Wilmot, son of William F., would later successfully train Gold and Myrrh, peaking with a win over Forego
in the Metropolitan Handicap
. Today, William B. is a top thoroughbred horse breeder along with his wife Joan Taylor through the family's Stepwise Farm, located in Saratoga Springs, NY.
, and his only sister Betty was married to Dr. John O'Leary. One of the legendary tales of the O'Leary clan was the story of Art O'Leary, a victim of the Irish Penal Laws of the Eighteenth Century, when no Irish Catholic was allowed to own a horse worth more than £5. Jim Wilmot's horses in the 20th century were worth considerably more than that, but of course British rule was long gone from America.
Democratic National Committee
The Democratic National Committee is the principal organization governing the United States Democratic Party on a day to day basis. While it is responsible for overseeing the process of writing a platform every four years, the DNC's central focus is on campaign and political activity in support...
. The James P. Wilmot Cancer Center at the University of Rochester is named in his honor.
Jim Wilmot was raised in Rochester, New York, the son of James Butler Wilmot and Josephine O'Leary. His father owned a small chain of clothing stores. Beginning his career as an employee of Rochester Municipal Airport, he started a pilot-training company called Page Airways. The company would grow to become an international aviation sales corporation that was the exclusive agent for Grumman Corp.'s Gulfstream G2 jets.
Mr. Wilmot served as a Corporate Director of Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures
Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc. is an American film production and distribution company. Columbia Pictures now forms part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of the Japanese conglomerate Sony. It is one of the leading film companies...
and the Irving Trust
Irving Trust
Irving Trust was a bank headquartered in New York City, and the principal subsidiary of the Irving Bank Corporation. Between 1913 and 1931, its headquarters was in the Woolworth Building; after 1931, until it was acquired by Bank of New York, its headquarters was located at One Wall Street, at...
in addition to co-founding and running Wilmorite Properties with his brother William F. Wilmot (Wee), the family's real estate development enterprise. He was chairman of the Democratic Party's Finance Committee, and a good friend of such figures as House Speaker Thomas P. Tip O'Neill
Tip O'Neill
Thomas Phillip "Tip" O'Neill, Jr. was an American politician. O'Neill was an outspoken liberal Democrat and influential member of the U.S. Congress, serving in the House of Representatives for 34 years and representing two congressional districts in Massachusetts...
, Senator Henry M. 'Scoop' Jackson
Henry M. Jackson
Henry Martin "Scoop" Jackson was a U.S. Congressman and Senator from the state of Washington from 1941 until his death...
and Vice President Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Humphrey
Hubert Horatio Humphrey, Jr. , served under President Lyndon B. Johnson as the 38th Vice President of the United States. Humphrey twice served as a United States Senator from Minnesota, and served as Democratic Majority Whip. He was a founder of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and...
, who relaxed at Wilmot's estate after the 1968 Presidential Election campaign.
Along with his brother William, Jim Wilmot was a noted horsebreeder. At one time the Wilmots owned the historic racetrack Freehold Raceway
Freehold Raceway
Freehold Raceway is a half-mile racetrack in Freehold Borough, New Jersey. Established in 1853, it is the oldest harness racetrack in the United States and is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 9 and Business Route 33 in Freehold....
in New Jersey.In 1974, one of his and his brother's horses, Gold and Myrrh, sired by Damascus
Damascus (horse)
Damascus was a thoroughbred race horse sired by Sword Dancer out of Kerala foaled at the Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky...
, ran in the 100th Kentucky Derby
Kentucky Derby
The Kentucky Derby is a Grade I stakes race for three-year-old Thoroughbred horses, held annually in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on the first Saturday in May, capping the two-week-long Kentucky Derby Festival. The race is one and a quarter mile at Churchill Downs. Colts and geldings carry...
, and he met special guest HRH Princess Margaret, sister of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. His nephew William B. Wilmot, son of William F., would later successfully train Gold and Myrrh, peaking with a win over Forego
Forego
Forego was an American Thoroughbred racehorse that won eight Eclipse Awards including Horse of the Year, Champion Handicap Horse and Champion Sprinter....
in the Metropolitan Handicap
Metropolitan Handicap
The Metropolitan Handicap, frequently called the "Met Mile," is an American Grade I Thoroughbred horse race held annually during the last week of May at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York. Open to horses age three and older, it is contested on dirt over a distance of one mile .The Met Mile was first...
. Today, William B. is a top thoroughbred horse breeder along with his wife Joan Taylor through the family's Stepwise Farm, located in Saratoga Springs, NY.
O'Leary links
Jim Wilmot was the son of an O'LearyO'Leary
O'Leary is an Irish name, an anglicized version of the original Gaelic patronym Ó Laoghaire or Ó Laoire.The Uí Laoghaire clan, today associated with the Uibh Laoghaire parish in County Cork, is considered by scholars to have originated on the south-west coast, in the area of Ros Ó gCairbre , of...
, and his only sister Betty was married to Dr. John O'Leary. One of the legendary tales of the O'Leary clan was the story of Art O'Leary, a victim of the Irish Penal Laws of the Eighteenth Century, when no Irish Catholic was allowed to own a horse worth more than £5. Jim Wilmot's horses in the 20th century were worth considerably more than that, but of course British rule was long gone from America.