B. Preston Root

B. Preston Root , CLU, died peacefully on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at his family home, "Four Pillars", in Normandy Park, in the Convent Station section of Morris Township. He was age 105. Mr. Root , a descendant of the Marquis de Lafayette and related to the American statesman, Elihu Root, was born and raised on the family farm in Wells, Minnesota on April 19, 1906.

During his teens, the farm was destroyed by a tornado and the family moved to Minneapolis. He attended the University of Minnesota, School of Business Administration. During his studies at Minnesota, he transferred to Georgetown University, The School of Foreign Service, Washington, DC, from which he graduated "cum laude" in 1930. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta and Delta Phi Epsilon fraternities. Mr. Root married Elinor Louise Johnson of Washington, DC, the marriage of which lasted 72 years. During the Depression years, the Government closed consulates overseas, thereby ending a career with the Department of State.

He worked as a salesman for Remington Cash Register Co. in Washington where he was the top producer. He sold J. Willard Marriott , founder of Marriott Hotels International , his first cash register. Mr. Root joined the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. as a salesman with a territory in Washington, DC. He again became a top producer.. In 1935, he was promoted to the Home Office in New York City where he was in charge of Field Training . In 1943, he was promoted to the office of District Manager when he moved to Morristown. He managed the territory of Morris, Sussex and Warren Counties.

He was elected president of the New Jersey Society of Chartered Life Underwriters (CLU) and later founded the Northwest New Jersey Chapter of Life Underwriters. He became President of the NJ State Life Underwriters Association in 1952. Mr. Root was a member of the Episcopal Church of The Redeemer in Morristown since 1943. He served on the Vestry for many years as Senior and Junior Wardens. Among many other things, he was influential in the creation of the Eric Johnson House, also known as the AIDS Residence of Morris County. He continued until the present to provide leadership and guidance to this Church.

In 2000, Mr. And Mrs. Root were presented the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Root also served many civic, educational and business organizations in Morris County. He served on the boards of trustees and directors for: Morristown Memorial Hospital; Morris County Savings Bank now Wells Fargo; Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ; Planned Parenthood; Morristown YMCA; Gill St. Bernard's School , Gladstone; St. John Baptist Episcopal School for Girls, Mendham; American Heart Association of Morris County; American Lung Association ; Morris County Home Foundation; The Women's Club of Morristown; Jail Chaplaincy Council; Morris County Chamber of Commerce.

He was Chairman of the Community Chest of Morris County which became the United Way of North Jersey-Morris County. He was a member of the Washington Association of New Jersey where he served as Vice-President and Treasurer for many years. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Morristown and of Dover for forty-three years.. In addition, he delivered Meals on Wheels. Mr. Root was a member of the Morris County Golf Club, Convent Station, for 32 years. In 1960, he was playing golf with his long time friend, John H. Bickford, the Mayor of Morris Township, when a thunder-storm came up and lightning struck Mr. Bickford. Mr. Root applied CPR and continued to administer artificial respiration until an ambulance arrived. Mr. Root thus saved Mr. Bickford's life. Mr. Root was also a member of the Deer Lake Club, Boonton Township.

He was an avid Bridge player, most recently playing at the Senior Citizens Center of Morristown until he was 103. He also enjoyed gardening , bird watching, and reading books on the life of Abraham Lincoln. In 1984, Mr. and Mrs. Root moved to Sarasota, Florida. They were active members of St. Wilfred's Episcopal Church , the Glen Oaks Community, and the Bobby Jones Golf Club. In 1999, they returned to Morristown to be near their family. Wherever he moved or traveled, he made new friends. He was a gentleman, full of good will and com-passion, openness, humor, with charity toward all, who inspired many, and who brought goodness to all.

Survivors include his daughter, Elaine Louise Root Casey, of Stroudsburg, PA and his son, B. Preston Root III, CLU, of Convent Station, three grandchildren, John Cory Ward Jr., Nancy Lynn Ward, and Darren Casey; and three great-grandchildren. Also surviving is Maytie Hinds, loyal, loving and trusted housekeeper and nurses aid.

All content © 2011