Edward L. “Bud” Sinclair, Jr., beloved husband of Nancy Sinclair of 48 years and long-time resident of Greenwich, passed away on Jan. 16 after living valiantly for an extended time with cancer. Bud was born on Oct. 10, 1947 in Roslyn Heights, NY, son of the late Edward L. and Sara M. Sinclair. Bud resided in Greenwich since the third grade, attended Greenwich Public Schools and graduated from Greenwich High School in 1965. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Lafayette College and his Masters in Business Administration from Columbia University. Additionally, Bud was a licensed Certified Public Accountant in New York.
Bud was currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Horace Mann School in Riverdale, NY since 1995. During his long and distinguished tenure at Horace Mann he supported a period of great development and was directly involved in many significant expansion projects. His time at Horace Mann and previously as Vice President-Finance and Administration and Treasurer of Manhattanville College reflected a passion for serving in the not-for-profit sector that grew out of his time auditing and consulting in that area with Peat Marwick Mitchell early in his career. He was equally as strong in the for-profit world working with Nestle Foods Corporation for nearly 16 years in various accounting and finance management positions culminating as Treasurer until 1990.
Bud’s commitment to sound and professional financial management extended deeply into his involvement in the Greenwich community. He served as Treasurer of the Stanwich Church for ten years spanning the construction of the current Stanwich sanctuary built in 2006. Bud was a member of the Indian Harbor Yacht Club since 1977. He served on the Board of Directors as Treasurer for 4 years, chaired the Junior Sailing Committee, House Committee, was a director at large, and chaired the Audit Committee. He was also a founding member of the Indian Harbor Yacht Club Foundation and served as its Treasurer for 10 years. Bud was currently serving as the President of Indian Harbor House and had previously served as a Trustee for the Stanwich School.
Bud loved being with family and friends for adventures both on and off the water. He grew up cruising with his parents on their powerboat Shamrock, a Matthews 42. Marrying Nancy, he was introduced to the sport of sailing and passed on the joy of both to his sons. The family cruised up and down Long Island Sound on several sailboats and also enjoyed day trips by motorboat. The family’s cruising was not limited to the water including trips in their motorhome on the East Coast, to the Midwest and a memorable experience across the country and back. When sailboat racing became the family focus, he embraced the opportunity to support the team first with Hotspur and then Bellerophon learning to be part of the crew and later onshore after racing with a toast at the IHYC Sunfish Bar.
As many know, Bud was a renaissance man. He was an accomplished singer and violinist, played guitar and was aspiring to play the piano. For many years he sang in the Stanwich Church Choir and the National Anthem at IHYC Commissioning Ceremonies with his two sons. He enjoyed classic cars and collecting Lionel trains, but most importantly sharing all these passions with his family.
In addition to Nancy, Bud is survived by two sons and two granddaughters. Edward L. “Skip” Sinclair, III, his wife Rev. Heather A. M., and their two daughters Grace Elizabeth and Sophia Anne, all of Westport, CT; and Richard C. Sinclair and his wife Barnet W. of Greenwich.
A Memorial Service celebrating Bud’s life will be held at a later date. As a reflection of Bud’s faith and service to the church, the family requests that donations may be made in his memory to Stanwich Church, 202 Taconic Road, Greenwich CT 06831.
