Civic leader. Having dropped out of high school in 1923 to become a car salesman, he developed into one of Connecticut's wealthiest businessmen and philanthropists, a prominent state Republican and a powerful force in banking and insurance. His interest in selling cars grew into one of the largest dealerships in the nation, Gengras Motor Cars, Inc. In 1964 he purchased from the state the ailing Connecticut Company bus lines in Hartford, New Haven and Stamford for $3.2 million. He sold it back to the state 12 years later for $10.3 million. He was the former chairman and president of the Security Corp. and chairman of the board of the Allyn Corp. He was well known for his charitable work, having received numerous citations and awards through the years. He also was a longtime contributor to the Republican party. In 1966 he ran unsuccessfully for governor, losing to incumbent John N. Dempsey in a bitter campaign. In later years he was a close ally to Democratic governor (and neighbor) Ella T. Grasso.
Cause of death: Heart failure.
Cause of death: Heart failure.
Civic leader. Having dropped out of high school in 1923 to become a car salesman, he developed into one of Connecticut's wealthiest businessmen and philanthropists, a prominent state Republican and a powerful force in banking and insurance. His interest in selling cars grew into one of the largest dealerships in the nation, Gengras Motor Cars, Inc. In 1964 he purchased from the state the ailing Connecticut Company bus lines in Hartford, New Haven and Stamford for $3.2 million. He sold it back to the state 12 years later for $10.3 million. He was the former chairman and president of the Security Corp. and chairman of the board of the Allyn Corp. He was well known for his charitable work, having received numerous citations and awards through the years. He also was a longtime contributor to the Republican party. In 1966 he ran unsuccessfully for governor, losing to incumbent John N. Dempsey in a bitter campaign. In later years he was a close ally to Democratic governor (and neighbor) Ella T. Grasso.
Cause of death: Heart failure.
Cause of death: Heart failure.
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