Herbert Woodhull Jarvis

Herbert Woodhull Jarvis, of Mount Pleasant, SC. passed on March 10, 2025

Born March 9, 1925, in Greenwich, CT, to Herbert W. Jarvis and Harriet Belmer Jarvis, he was the eldest son in a family line of nine generations of eldest sons in the US dating back to the 1600s in Huntington, Long Island.

His first wife, June E. (Reid) Jarvis passed away before him. Together, they had four children: Laurian Lucretia, RN and Michael Carr of Maine, Averill R. Jarvis-Nannos, Esq. and Col. J Craig Nannos of Philadelphia, Leslie J. Abernathy, MSW and Dr. Shields Abernathy of Paso Robles, CA. and Suzanne V. Jarvis, MPH of Houston. His second wife, Marge (Hunt/Kester) Jarvis, predeceased him. He had three stepchildren: the late Stuart Hunt and Nancy Hunt, Susan Hunt Browning, and Lori Hunt and Jay Spallion, all of Florida. Herb enjoyed fifteen grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren. Living 100 years, he knew many descendants, including his great-grandfather, Ebenezer Nostrand Jarvis, who served in the 5th Excelsior New York Regiment during the Civil War. He fondly recalled speaking to his great-grandfather, who had spoken to Abraham Lincoln.

His first life accomplishment was becoming an Eagle Scout. After graduating from Mamaroneck High in 1943, he joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program and attended Yale University. Before graduating, he left for flight training and active service. WWII ended before his deployment and he returned to Yale, graduating in 1947. He earned his MBA at Boston College in 1950.

Herb married June, his high school sweetheart, and began his career with United Shoe Machinery Corporation in Boston, later known as USM, where he remained for 35 years, the last seven as President. For the next twelve years, he was the President and CEO of the Sybron Corporation in Rochester, NY. His professional skills and knowledge had placed him on the Boards of Shawmut Bank, Berkshire Life Insurance, General Cinema, Harcourt Brace, Emhart, Carter Hawley Hale, and Niemen Marcus.

The YMCA was a lifelong interest, serving on the Boards in Rochester, NY, and Beaufort, SC. In academics, he was a trustee of the Rochester Institute of Technology and Mount Holyoke Colleges. His participation in civic organizations included the Geva Theater in Rochester, NY; the Boston Chamber of Commerce, Chairman; the National Association of Manufacturers, VP; and a US-USSR Trade Council, member. One of his most memorable accomplishments was reinstating trade with the USSR and dining with Brezhnev when the US-USSR Trade Council met at the Kremlin.

Herb filled his time with the outdoors, sports, and adventures. He spent over thirty summers on Melody Island in Lake Winnipesaukee, NH, and his last summers at Burlingame in the NC mountains. The wind in the trees, the loons' call, the lake water's lap against the shore, or the steady hum of night frogs brought him peace and connection. His love of classical music and attending the symphony was a lifelong activity. He enjoyed extensive travels and hiked in New Zealand, Italy, England, and the New Hampshire mountains. A competitive player, he enjoyed golf, croquet, and bridge. He credits waking at 4 AM to run five miles before work for his excellent health and longevity. We fondly remember him working hard on outdoor island projects and then relaxing in the hammock to a gentle, lake breeze. It was home for him.

He will be interred in the Memorial Garden, which he sponsored, of the Sea Island Presbyterian Church in Beaufort S.C.

Donations in his memory may be made to the Sea Island Presbyterian Church, Jasper YMCA of the Low Country or to the YMCA of Greater Rochester N.Y.

Expressions of sympathy may be submitted or viewed online at mcalister-smith.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation ~ Mt. Pleasant, 1520 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina 29464, (843) 884-3833.