The Pulteney Street SurveySpring '25
A True Statesman
Tributes to a Life of Leadership
"If anyone ever asks what it means to be a Hobart Statesman, just tell them about Tom Melly. A family man, a successful business leader, an extraordinary philanthropist who gave his time, his intellect and his money for the greater good of the community, and a man who never forgot his alma mater, that was Tom Melly. There went a Statesman."
THOMAS S. BOZZUTO ‘68, L.H.D. ‘18
HONORARY TRUSTEE AND FORMER CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
"Tom Melly taught me how to be an HWS Trustee. Tom spent a lot of time talking with me during Trustee weekends and called between meetings for years to discuss important issues and to encourage me to share my ideas. While working with him, I gained more confidence and knowledge and benefited greatly from his dedication to HWS mixed with his kindness, friendship and sense of humor. Tom believed in perspective and welcomed talking issues over from all angles. Judy and Tom were adventurous and traveled all over the world. I know those travel experiences gave Tom insights formed by seeing all kinds of places and people. He applied a world view to enhance HWS for the benefit of students first, but also for all of us in the HWS community to continuously appreciate growth and learning for a lifetime."
CYNTHIA GELSTHORPE FISH ’82, L.H.D. ‘23
HONORARY TRUSTEE AND FORMER VICE CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
"For 27 years, Tom was a constant in my life. We spoke often and he was an outstanding mentor for me, helping to navigate complicated relationships and providing subtle counsel when he believed Hobart and William Smith should be headed in a different direction. Tom was the type of leader we all want to work for – one that makes you feel as if you can accomplish anything. He believed in me and that gave me great confidence in our work. In our over 200-year history I am not sure anyone has done more for HWS than Tom Melly and I am fortunate to have known him."
BOB O’CONNOR P’22, P’23
VICE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR PHILANTHROPIC ADVISOR
"Tom Melly was a warm man, but also shrewd — shrewd in business and shrewd in stewardship of all things he loved. My husband, Jon, had his career at Goldman Sachs, like Tom. But it was becoming friends with Tom and Judy on our coincidentally timed vacations at Mill Reef that I truly met the man, Tom Melly, and knew him in his totality. I had the wonderful privilege of serving on the HWS Board with him for 25 years. I came to admire in Tom, in deep ways, his ability to lead with diplomacy, compassion and most of all wisdom. These are the things that made Tom Melly the most exceptional leader Hobart will ever have."
ALLISON MORROW ’76
MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
"As Hobart’s greatest son, Tom showed the way but also walked the way. He believed, as President John F. Kennedy expressed, ‘Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other."
THOMAS B. POOLE ‘61, P’91, L.H.D. ‘06
HONORARY TRUSTEE
"I first met Tom when I joined the Board of Trustees in 2011. He was an impactful leader to all, but a special mentor to me when I became Board Chair. He was always generous with his time and never too busy to listen and share his perspectives. I miss him very much. Hobart and William Smith is a far better place because of his leadership and generosity."
CRAIG R. STINE ‘81, P’17
CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
"Tom Melly was transformative in many ways to many organizations, to the HWS Board specifically, to many people, and to me personally. For me, it was a call in 1994 or so when he invited me to join the Board. That call changed my life and gave me the opportunity to attempt to repay the Colleges for all it had done for my family and me. He ended that probing call with his signature 'ciao.' Ciao, Tom."
MAUREEN COLLINS ZUPAN ‘72, P’09, L.H.D. ‘16
HONORARY TRUSTEE AND FORMER CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES