Paul Oreffice, a partner at both Dogwood Stable and then Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners who was in on Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Summer Squall and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Palace Malice , died Dec. 26 at his Paradise Valley, Ariz., home. He was 97.
Oreffice had a lifelong passion for horses, riding as a child and investing in Thoroughbreds for the past four decades.
As a partner with Dogwood and Eclipse, he delighted in hundreds of wins. He had ownership interest in eight Kentucky Derby (G1) starters, finishing second, third, and fourth. He also served on the board of the New York Racing Association, was chairman of Saratoga War Horse, and had a home in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where he relished being in the epicenter of the horse racing world in the summer.
“Paul was as game and as enthusiastic of a horse owner as they come,” said Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners founder and president Aron Wellman. “He adored racing horses, he enjoyed gambling on races, and he generously supported any number of industry-related charitable causes.
“When he joined Eclipse as a partner in 2013 after three decades of being synonymous with Cot Campbell’s Dogwood Stable, I had no idea how powerful and meaningful of an impact he’d have on our stable, and more importantly, on my life. He was a truly great, great man who was larger than life, and the sport of horse racing and everyone he meant so much to will miss him deeply. He leaves behind an unfillable void.”
Racing Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher noted Oreffice’s all-around success.
“Paul Oreffice was the definition of gentleman, businessman, family man, husband, and friend,” said Pletcher, who trained Palace Malice. “We will miss him greatly.”
In Saratoga Springs, Oreffice supported the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
“Paul Oreffice lived a wonderful and inspiring life and leaves behind a tremendous legacy in the business world, Thoroughbred racing, and through his family,” said Racing Hall of Fame chair Charlotte Weber. “He was admired throughout the sport and a good friend to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. He will be greatly missed.”
Oreffice is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Jo Ann Pepper Oreffice; his children, Laura Jennison (Jon) and Andy Oreffice (Jamie); his grandchildren, Drew Jennison (Kimberly), Alex Jennison (Julie), and Kyle, Jillian, Lila, and John Paul Oreffice; and his great-granddaughter, Josie.
Oreffice lived the American Dream, going from being an immigrant to a major company CEO. He was born in Venice, Italy, on Nov. 29, 1927. In 1940, Paul moved with his family to Quito, Ecuador, and in 1945 he came to the United States, where he went directly to Purdue University, speaking fewer than 50 words of English. Paul graduated from Purdue in February 1949 with a BS in Chemical Engineering.
After serving the country he loved in the Army for two years, Paul joined The Dow Chemical Company in February 1953. After a variety of international assignments, including living in Italy, Brazil, and Spain, he progressed to Dow’s headquarters in Midland, Mich., in 1970. Paul became the president and CEO of the company in April 1978. He later added the title of chairman of the board. He retired in December 1992.
Paul served on the boards of CIGNA, Coca-Cola, Morgan Stanley, and Nortel Networks. He was also the chairman of The American Enterprise Institute, The National Parkinson Foundation, and on the visiting board of MD Anderson Cancer Center. He received Spain’s highest civilian award and was the recipient of the top medals awarded by the world’s three premier chemical organizations.
In 2006, Oreffice’s book “Only in America” was published. It weaves the story of his immigration to America, from escaping fascist rule in Mussolini’s Italy to realizing America’s promises for those willing to work hard and convert obstacles and setbacks into achievements and success.
His achievements were not contained to the business world, as he was a Life Master in Bridge, a skilled table tennis player, and a single-digit handicap golfer until his 40s, when he gave it up for a younger man’s game, tennis. He was an avid tennis player until the age of 89 and certainly lost count of all the opponents decades younger than he whom he defeated. He was an enthusiastic sports fan, and his favorite teams were the Miami Dolphins and Purdue. He was a charter season ticket holder for the Dolphins and was a fervent Boilermaker follower.
Beyond the accolades, his most significant achievements were with his family and friends. He was a loving husband to Jo Ann, a fantastic father who always found time for Laura and Andy, a grandfather with seemingly endless wisdom to give, and a generous and loyal friend to so many.
Paul’s limitless generosity extended well beyond his family and friends. He donated to countless organizations with an affinity for veterans, Purdue, fighting cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Paul was a key driver in establishing the Midland Community Tennis Center.
He started a family legacy of giving back, which his children and grandchildren have embraced and will continue. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by so many people who loved him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4 p.m., Friday, Jan. 17, at Paradise Valley (Ariz.) Country Club. A private entombment will occur in Saratoga Springs. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Paul’s memory to The Purdue for Life Foundation (purdueforlife.org), the Parkinson’s Foundation (parkinson.org), or MD Anderson Cancer Center (mdanderson.org).
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
