Robert J. Lanigan

Robert J. Lanigan passed away peacefully at his Toledo home on September 12, 2018. He was born on April 26,1928 in Brooklyn ,NY to John and Katherine Lanigan. Bob graduated from St. Francis College in Brooklyn in 1949 with a degree in economics. He later received an Honorary Doctorate from St. Francis College and Nathaniel Hawthorne College. Bob started work at Owens-Illinois in 1950 at O-I Fairmont WV glass container plant. He married Mary Elizabeth McCormick on Dec. 30, 1950 and moved to Toledo working for O-I in administration and became a senior industrial engineer. He then became an assistant to the head of the Glass Container Division where he was assigned a number of projects. Bob was transferred to the Forest Products Division where he became the head of administration. Subsequently, he was promoted to head the Forest Products Division’s paper mill operations including its 5 mills. He then became the head of corporate planning reporting to the CEO and President. O-I bought Lily Tulip in 1969 and Bob was selected to run that company. In 1972 he was made head of the Glass Container Division, O-I’s largest division. In 1975 he was named Executive Vice President of the company and general manager of the Packaging Group. Bob became president and COO of Domestic Operations and then promoted to president of International Operations in 1979. He became chairman and CEO in 1984. In 1987 O-I was acquired by Kohlberg, Kravis and Roberts (KKR) in a leverage buy-out, keeping O-I headquarters in Toledo. Bob retired in 1990 after 40 years of service. At various times while serving at O-I and in his retirement he served on many board of directors of public companies, including Dun&Bradstreet, Hershey, Chrysler, Diamlar, Sonat, Transocean, Coleman, Cognizant, IMS Health and The Toledo Trust Company. He was on the board of the privately held company Barry -Wehmiller from 1980 to the present. Using his business experience Bob was an integral part of the company’s growth. Bob also became a co-founder and investor in Palladium LLC, a New York private equity firm. His national reputation as a business executive was critical in giving credibility to this new company. He helped in forming a management team, raising operating capital and soliciting investment. Locally, Bob served as Chairman of The Toledo Symphony Orchestra and was a significant contributor to the Promedica Toledo Hospital Generations Tower. In his retirement, Bob’s main focus was on his family. Weekly Sunday dinners were full of humor and warmth. He and Betty took their children and spouses on trips to Ireland, Argentina, the Bahamas and on a cruise of the Alaska Inside Passage He actively followed his grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s education and sports activities. Playing tennis, snow skiing in Colorado and golfing with them was great fun for him. He loved to fish, hunt and we’re sure he has seen every Western and war movie ever made. Bob was predeceased by and reunited with Betty, his wife of 65 years, as well as his parents and sister Helen Ahearn. He is survived by his children Kenneth Lanigan (Kim), Betty Jane“B.J.” Snavely (David), Kathryn Pilewskie (Mark), Jeanne Schafer (Dr. Richard) and Suzanne Lanigan (Anthony Donofrio). Papa will always be remembered with love by his grandchildren, Taylor Lanigan, , Caitlin Acampa(John-Claude), D.Robert Snavely (Elizabeth), Thomas Snavely, Kyle (Keith) Newnham, Jane Pilewskie, Anthony”A.J.” Georgetti and Spencer Georgetti, as well as 5 great-grandchildren. He was loved by numerous step- grandchildren and step- great-grandchildren. His sister Jane McGuire and many nieces and nephews of the McGuire and Ahearn families also survive him. The Lanigan family is extremely grateful to Leigh Prebe, his executive assistant for 20 years, whom he depended on for all business and many family needs. Her patience and love for us will never be forgotten. Additionally, many thanks to Gloria Green, his home health care professional for her tireless and outstanding care for our Dad over the last two years. Your wonderful care will always be remembered. We are also so grateful for the excellent care and friendship from Dr. Thomas MCAlear, Dr. James Bingle, Dr. Rex Mowat, Dr. Emmett Boyle and Dr.Douglas Paone of Naples, FL. A heartfelt thank you to Father Bill Rose for his guidance and friendship especially since the passing of his wife, our mother, Betty. There will be no visitation, however, a Mass of Resurrection will be held on Wednesday Sept. 19, 2018 at 10:00AM at Christ the King Church 4100 Harvest Lane, Toledo, OH with Father Bill Rose presiding. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Christ the King Church, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Ohio/SE Michigan 24359 Northwestern Highway, Suite 125, Southfield, MI 48075, or a charity of your choice.