George E. Kane, 104, passed away peacefully at his home in Boston on
November 10, 2009. Blessed with fine mental faculties until this
passing, George leaves behind a legacy of business acumen and
philanthropy whose quality rivals its longevity. At age 99, George
retired as a director of Panera Inc., the bakery restaurant chain,
which was founded by his son Louis Kane (1931-2000). At that time
George was the oldest director of a publicly traded corporation. He
previously served on the board of Au Bon Pain and was a principal in
several banks and other financial firms, including Garden City Trust
and US Trust.
George was a graduate and later trustee of Bentley College, and
received an honorary doctorate there in 1995. George and his late wife
Sally were major contributors to the West End House Boys and Girls Club
and its camp in Maine. He served as chairman of the West End House
Board, of its Alumni Association, and the camp.
In recognition of their service, the BGCA gave George and his son Louis
their highest honor in 1998, and the leadership center at the West End
House is named in their honor. George served on the board of the New
England Sinai Hospital, and advised there, as in so many other venues,
that progress be firmly founded on assets not credit. George loved
playing bocce on the beach, tending roses, opera and art.
George leaves behind his loving daughter Ann Collier and her husband
Marvin, daughter-in-law Katharine Kane, grandchildren Charles Collier,
his wife Jodi and their children Sarah and Benjamin, Jon Collier and
his wife Laurie Grotstein and their children Clara and Rose, Sam
Collier, Jenny Kane, Joe Kane, Holliday Kane Rayfield and her husband
Rick and their children Rikki, Murilla, Sophie and Miranda.
Funeral service was Friday, November 13, at Temple Emanuel in Newton,
MA. Shiva was observed November 13 through 16. Remembrances may be sent
as contributions to the West End House Boys and Girls Club of America,
105 Allston Street, Boston, MA 02134.
