A. Bliss McCrum, Jr.

On June 6th, 2018, the world lost a remarkable man, Arlington Bliss McCrum, Jr. Bliss was born on June 2, 1932 to Arlington Bliss McCrum, Sr. and Madeline Broderick McCrum in Charleston, West Virginia. He died peacefully at home in Livingston after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's Disease, surrounded by his loving family. He graduated from Culver Academy in 1950 and from Princeton University in 1954, where he majoredin History and had the pleasure of rowing crew, ultimately in the Henley Regatta in England. He wasPresident of Cottage Club and later President of his Class. Following college, he married Jean Palmerof Cleveland, Ohio and Blue Hill, Maine. He served our country as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army inpeacekeeping in Germany. Upon his return he obtained an MBA from the Wharton School in 1958. Hebegan his career in finance working at the firm of Dominick and Dominick, from which he moved on tobe a founding partner of Euclid Partners, a venture capital firm in New York City. He was a member ofthe Princeton Club and the Lynx Club there. On the home front, he moved to Connecticut where he and Jean raised six children, until divorcing in1979. He then met and married, in 1981, cardiologist Dr. Marcia B. Bull who brought three morechildren to the family. They resided in New Canaan, Connecticut where he was instrumental in foundingthe highly successful Horizons program, fostering middle and high school education of underprivilegedchildren from nearby communities. He served on the board of directors at Horizons for several years.Also in New Canaan, he helped found and was on the board of the New Canaan Inn, a residence forsenior citizens. In addition, he participated in fundraising for other local nonprofit organizations. Hismotto was 'learn, earn, and return.' He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the CountryClub of New Canaan, the Verbank Hunting Club, and the Saugutuck Shores Club. He served on theboard of the New Canaan Country School, and established the McCrum Fund, to help other nonprofits. In 2004 after retiring, Bliss and Marcia moved to live full time in Livingston, Montana, raising alfalfa ontheir small ranch ('Mac Ranch'). He continued his philanthropic support of local organizations, such asthe Food Resource Center, the Park County Community Foundation, the building of the LivingstonHealth Care Center, the Shane Center and educational programs for the Livingston school system,among others. He and Marcia had taken family vacations in Montana and Wyoming, following their loveof nature and Bliss' passions of fly fishing and upland game bird hunting, interests he pursued untilParkinson's disease made it impossible for him to do so. Even then he enjoyed working in the field withhis two English Setters Bea and Pearl. He loved meeting and interacting with people and many will remember his warm smile, easy humor,and twinkling blue eyes even when confined to a wheelchair. He loved his family dearly, and derivedgreat pleasure from country music, which he played and ultimately 'plinked' on his guitar and banjo. Heepitomized grit, courage and determination in fighting his illness and, remarkably, never complained.When asked how he was feeling, his usual reply was, 'never better.' His zest for life was indomitable.He was predeceased by his parents, his sister, Sarah McCrum Porter and her husband Richard Porter. He is survived by his loving wife, Marcia; daughters, Hanna McCrum Henderson (Kris), LindsayMcCrum, Elizabeth McCrum, and Kate McCrum; sons, Arlington B. McCrum Ill (Barbara) and WilliamMcCrum; step-children, Kenneth Bull, Laura Bull Bailey (Michael), and Bradford Bull (Reba); 15grandchildren and two nephews, Ned (Karon)and John Porter. Memorial celebrations of his life are being planned for the fall in Livingston and Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to contribute to the above-mentioned programs, the LHC Hospice Program, or a charity of their choice.Arrangements are under the care of Franzen-Davis Funeral Home and Crematory in Livingston.