In October, 2000, Tom Labrecque died at the age of 62. He was the Ex-CEO of Chase Manhattan Bank. His obituary stopped me in my tracks. Among his many accomplishments:
- Youngest member of Chase’s Management Committee.
- Served on the committee that helped resolve New York City’s financial crisis in the late 1970’s.
- Spent 4 years in the United States Navy, rising to the rank of a full lieutenant.
- Served on a destroyer during the Cuban missile crisis and headed a section of the Office of Naval Intelligence, deploying ships in the blockade off Cuba.
- Served as chairman of Chase’s International Advisory Council.
- Served on the board of trustees for the University of Notre Dame.
- Was a Director of Pfizer Inc.
- Was a Director of Delphi Automotive Systems.
- Served as a trustee for the Hospital for Special Surgery.
- Volunteered for many other organizations, too numerous to mention.
One of the many individuals who worked with Tom, a man by the name of Mr. Price, said Tom was by far the best CEO he had ever worked with.
Some people, like Tom Labrecque, strive to do good because they believe they were put here on this planet to be of service to others.
I came to bare witness to this in my five-year study of self-made millionaires. Seventy-two percent volunteered for some non-profit organization at least five hour per month. Many volunteered more than five hours a month.
Self-made millionaires forge habits of service that propel them to great heights in life. They give of their time and their money. They seek to enrich the lives of everyone around them.
They leave footprints in the hearts of others. That is their legacy. And when they die, their obituary reflects their devotion to service.
What will your obituary say?
About Thomas C. Corley
Awesome post! I have found in my life that enriching someone else’s life, in a big way or even a small way, is the most rewarding experience of all!