One Family, Many Gifts

Parents are often their child’s most influential role models, providing tools and lessons that last a lifetime and beyond. This was the clearly the case in John Lacey’s life. His mother Marie, and father, the Honorable J. Robert Lacey, exemplified service and generosity, and influenced his path as a lawyer, philanthropist and community leader. Mr. Lacey, who passed away in December 2013, left a legacy gift to Wheeler of $25,000 in the name of his parents. Funds are used to support delivery of accessible, equitable care for individuals and families.

Mr. Lacey’s connection to Wheeler is rooted in his mother’s close childhood and lifelong friendship with Bertha Trumbull Wheeler, whose bequest to the Plainville community—along with her husband Frank Wheeler in 1960—ultimately helped to start Wheeler Clinic. When Mr. Lacey’s mother passed away in the autumn of 2002, she left also legacy of her own: both a charitable remainder unitrust and a bequest, made in honor of Bertha Wheeler, to the clinic. Her gifts, totaling more than $75,000, support Wheeler’s mission to encourage health, recovery and growth for individuals, families and communities.

Mr. Lacey practiced corporate and international business law. He was a partner in the Hartford firm of Copp, Berall & Hempstead and a founding partner of Lacey, Meissel, Koven & Kaufman. In 1994, he was nominated by President Clinton to serve on the Foreign Claims Settlement Commission. He was later elected Chairman. In 2002, he was appointed as an Appellate Hearing Examiner for the September 11 Victim Compensation Fund.

“The Lacey family’s commitment and generosity have been invaluable to our organization and the communities we serve,” said Susan Walkama, LCSW, president and chief executive officer, Wheeler. “Their legacy gifts are essential reminders to our community of the impact planned giving can have.”