Of the $54 million the foundation has given away since 1970, $32 million has gone to the arts and humanities, almost $9 million to community services, $8 million to education and almost $5 million to health. The foundation's board of trustees consisted of Gwendolyn Cafritz and the two men who would become her executors -- Atlas and William P. Rogers, her attorney. Conrad's strategy has been diversity. Morris Cafritz is remembered more for the quantity than for the aesthetic quality of his works. She has pressured the Smithsonian to increase the number of minorities in high-ranking positions and has been arrested outside the South African Embassy as a leader of Mother's Day protests there. One quarter to his widow, in a "marital trust" that would pay her interest until her death and give her the power to "appoint" the ultimate heirs to the principal; if she did not exercise this power, the principal would pass to the Cafritzes' sons upon her death. The singers belonged to the Domingo-Cafritz Young Artists Program (YAP), one of the opera world's most prestigious breeding grounds for the next generation of Pavarottis and Renee . . One possible reason for that -- and for any bitterness that might motivate the lawsuit -- is suggested by the suit's underlying argument: "For many years, beginning at a time not precisely known to plaintiffs, but at least by the time of the death of the late Morris Cafritz, the Decedent began suffering from a number of conditions that resulted in physical and mental debilitation," reads the complaint. Carter appears something of a cipher even to old family associates. "Very sort of philosophic, sort of honorable." Cafritzs grace, elegance, discernment, desire for excellence and commitment to making the most of every day and every situation will continue to inspire and motivate all who knew and loved him, his obituary reads. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Jane Lipton Cafritz, a distinguished Washington lawyer, whom he married on June 1, 2000. In plain English, Gwendolyn Cafritz's two younger sons are contending in court that their mother was too feebleminded to write her will; document requests filed in court suggest they may try to prove she was incapacitated by alcoholism. At the least, then, Gwendolyn's will disposes of more than $140 million. So he began buying real estate speculatively, and in 1920 opened a real estate office on 15th Street NW. (Conrad and Peggy were both involved in Barry's first election campaign, and Peggy is the godmother of Barry's son, Christopher.) Or purchase a subscription for unlimited access to real news you can count on. When he died, his estate was the largest ever probated in the District of Columbia. Funeral arrangement under the care ofSAGEL BLOOMFIELD DANZANSKY GOLDBERG FUNERAL CARE INC. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Calvin, 58, who finds himself a defendant in this lawsuit, is usually described as gentlemanly, methodical and reserved. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a33c63ad631098ddb002d9da023fc09f" );document.getElementById("gab125c3ec").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Two and a half years later Gwendolyn Cafritz was dead of cancer, at 78, and the following summer -- three years after that final party -- her two younger sons filed suit in D.C. Superior Court to. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. But public records show that, like any organization privately controlled by a very small number of people, it is very susceptible to change by a determined leader. He is also survived by his three children, Elliot Cafritz (Lauren), Anthony Cafritz (Pearl), and Elizabeth Peltekian(Viken); five grandchildren, Sam, Alexander, Seb, Aram, and Van; three stepchildren, Olivia Rubenstein, Irina Rubenstein, and James Speyer; and two step-grandchildren Evan and MJSpeyer. Rachel M. Ratowsky, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, February 2, 2021. Devoted father to Laurence (Sherri) Cafritz and Jodi (Mark Bronsky) Cafritz; cherished grandfather to Daniel, Ryan, Jeremy, Jack and Mick; beloved friend of first wife Sandie Cafritz; loving brother to the late William (Buffy) Cafritz; treasured uncle to Sandy (Helen . Implicitly, Carter and Conrad Cafritz are also challenging her designation of Calvin, the eldest, as the only son who will have a future role in running the foundation, which already controls assets of more than $220 million. In May, Jane Lipton Cafritz hosted a lunch that brought together a number of young opera singers and many of their supporters and admirers. . In 2001, the Cafritz Foundation gave $1 million toward the Cafritz Conference Center in the University Student Center. Morris grew up working in the store, stalking the Maine Avenue wharf for the freshest fish sold there and learning to love the adolescent city he saw around him. Calvins father Morris built the now-demolished Ambassador Hotel at 14. and K Streets NW, homes next to the National Arboretum, the Greenwich Forest neighborhood in Bethesda and several office buildings downtown. Gradually, he branched into entertainment, operating the first open-air movies in Washington (a matter of setting up chairs in vacant lots), and then a bowling alley and pool hall in Southeast, near the Navy Yard. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. "He wasn't overly enthused about it, but those were her wishes, and he sort of enjoyed it in a quiet way. [2] He is buried in the Washington Hebrew Congregation Cemetery, Washington, D.C. Philanthropy [ edit] And he still fights his battles with a surprising intensity, rarely bothering with the shake-hands-and-forget-it bonhomie common in Washington business. The strange paradox of her marriage was that Morris's money enabled her to carry out her lavish social dreams, while the family's being Jewish also placed limits on her chances of realizing them. These two, according to the complaint by Carter and Conrad Cafritz, "exerted undue influence" in Gwendolyn's decision to leave her entire estate to the foundation, of which they are both trustees. Conrad and his first wife entertained often in their Georgetown house in the '60s, giving parties -- often liberal fund-raisers -- that offered cozy intimations of radical chic. "I think it has the clean linear design of a Botticelli, and the elegance of an English portrait," she burbles, in her faintly accented great-lady voice, "and that's the way I would like my children to remember me. The trust was established at the death of Morris Cafritz in June 1964 in the interests of saving estate taxes. Where he was meat and potatoes, earnest frugality, civic pride, she was flashing dark beauty, mercurial moods and social ambition. Rogers had served as her personal attorney since her husband, Washington real estate magnate Morris Cafritz, died in 1964. In the past two decades Washington has been one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, building new fortunes, multiplying old ones, constantly attracting new players from other cities. Under an earlier agreement between Gwendolyn and her sons, she gave up her power to "appoint" one-quarter of the trust, meaning that $21 million -- or $7 million each -- would automatically go to her sons upon her death. January 27, 2023. The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation is already, with its more than $220 million in assets, the largest source of private funds earmarked for the District of Columbia. ", She gave only two parties in the last 15 years of her life -- one in 1978, her first in five years, and the final party in 1986. Special Neighborhood Hang Out: Say Cheese! There were of course the grand exceptions like the Warburgs, and Walter Lippmann, and Arthur Krock . Yet he uncomplainingly supported all of Gwendolyn's efforts, and was said to adore his colorful bride. D.C. developer, businessman and philanthropist Calvin Cafritz, the eldest son of real estate icon Morris Cafritz and his wife Gwendolyn, died Thursday at Sibley Memorial Hospital. "He's part of a legendary family, and he's the only one who seems interested in keeping up the legend," says one friend. He died on Thursday, Jan. 12, at age 91. There are hints too that he has social ambitions on Gwendolyn's scale, if not exactly of her type. There are no events scheduled. It was an invitation to stroll around the house and remember: When Gwen Cafritz, with her 19-inch waist and Balmain gowns, her raven hair and regal air, had won constant publicity for her parties -- 22 to dinner, with toasts over champagne, and enormous receptions like this one each spring and fall. "The decanter always had to be full," Dowling says. The daughter of a Hungarian immunologist who had a role in devising the early Wasserman test to detect syphilis, Gwen Cafritz was the opposite of her husband. (202) 338-4833, Georgetown Media Group. Mr. To one interviewer she said that art was "the theme, you might say" of her life, "as in a Wagnerian opera." Conrad is angrily aware, say friends, that his success will always be explained away. Decedent lacked sufficient capacity to, and did not, dispose of her property with judgment and understanding, considering the nature, character and extent of her estate.". And Gwendolyn's estate is not, in the end, the only -- or even the main thing -- at stake. Conrad's strange, and doesn't mind people thinking that he's strange; he kind of encourages it.". By the time of her death, however, Calvin was still the son closest to his mother. Rachel was a daughter of the late Abraham and Chierney Yarowsky. But almost no one seems to doubt that Conrad is the main force behind it. (His first wife, Jennifer, has since married Laughlin Phillips, son of Duncan and Marjorie Phillips and president of the Phillips Collection.). Morris Cafritz incorporated the foundation in 1948 to give money to Washington-area charities, and when he died 16 years later, he left it half his estate, mostly as stock in dozens of closely held corporations; as the new majority owner of most of these companies, and with Gwendolyn owning most of the rest, the foundation became in essence the owner of the Cafritz Co., its subsidiaries and its assets. ", The Cafritzes slept in separate bedrooms, Morris rising at dawn to get to the office. Marvin LaVerne Katz, 83, of Dallas, Texas, passed away on November 22, 2019 in Dallas. "He's creative, he's smart, also ambitious, like his father. "I'm sure part of it was to show Herb Miller he was serious.". In the process, he amassed one of the first great fortunes to be carved out of Washington itself. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution to a charity of your choice. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. ", Gwendolyn reportedly raised her children according to the dictates of her European background -- under the aegis of servants, to be seen and not heard. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. He was 91. The Cafritz Foundation was one of the biggest in the D.C. area, with over $400 million in assets and around $65 million in annual revenue and expenses, according to The Washington Business Journal. Finally, there is an emotional legacy to be earned -- or perhaps shed. Since 1989, Cafritz led the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, a charitable organization named for his parents. The control of so much money, especially in a city with limited corporate philanthropy, brings enormous power. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. March 29, 1931 - Washington, DC 20006. "Carter, he always did what the other two did," says Casey. The Cromwell, Aberdeen, Fernbrook, Rosedale, Isleworth, Traymore and Zellwood are in sorry shape today, but still stand as a modest monument to the name C-A-F-R-I-T-Z. "There were moments when you wanted to go around and have everybody wear not just a name tag, but a bio,"says their good friend Margaret Lenzner. "Right at the moment he could be most charming, he does something to undercut it," says one friend. She set aside bequests for two nephews ($35,000 each); a former company employee, Dorothy Casey ($10,000); and four former servants (two bequests of $50,000 and two of $25,000). 5.8K. In July 1993, he was elected President and CEO of the Foundation and in the last six months became Chairman Emeritus. Gwendolyn Cafritz died of cancer last November. The majority of this property was already owned by the Cafritz Foundation, but Gwendolyn was partial owner of many of the buildings; even a limited power to control their disposition would presumably attract men with ambitions in Washington real estate. G Guest 4 hours ago Comment Share T The staff at Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care Inc a day ago We plant this tree as a living memorial to Calvin. Morris had one vision, and Gwendolyn another; whoever now gains control might offer still a third. "When I heard about it, I wrote Conrad and told him I thought it was a horrible thing he and his brother were doing to his mother," says Dorothy L. Casey, a retired secretary who worked for the Cafritz Co. for decades, reflecting a widespread tendency to speak of Carter as his brother's satellite. Roger was born on September 30, 1952 in Toulon, the son. He was for years the president of the Jewish Community Center and donated the land for its first headquarters on Q Street NW. . He was 91 at the time he died. Thanks to the support of the Cafritz Foundation for the last 25 years, CEPL has supported organizational transformation across the public sector in the city. In addition to his loving family, he leaves behind a long-time member of the family household, Lilian Punzalan, and countless admiring friends. The Cafritz Foundation is also responsible for developing Art Place at Fort Totten, a huge mixed-use project in the Northeast D.C. area. That's why her final victory rather delighted me. It is a secretive organization: The foundation would answer no questions for this article. 2000 Pennsylvania Avenue NW In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Gwen Cafritz and her chief rival, Perle Mesta, were in fact the first of a new breed -- celebrity hostesses who openly courted the press and saw no shame in self-promotion. Distinguished D.C. Government Employees Recognized at Cafritz Awards Gala, Office of Communications & Marketing Today he shares office space and support staff with Conrad's growing interests, but for the most part pursues his own deals. You can still show your support by sending flowers directly to the family, or plant a tree in memory of Calvin Cafritz. Recommend Calvin's obituary to your friends. To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one. Cafritz was a native and longtime resident of Washington, DC. She left $25,000 to a favorite former escort, a Brazilian former employee of the Inter-American Development Bank who now lives in Rio de Janeiro. He was "greatly respected and liked, even in an antisemitic society," recalls Dixon. Calvin's younger brothers, Conrad and Carter, are behind-the- scenes players in many business and charitable ventures players. "That black sense of humor asserts itself, or he'll do something outrageous." Calvin Cafritz Rockville, Maryland March 29, 1931 - January 12, 2023 Share Obituary: Tribute Wall Obituary & Events Share a memory Send Flowers Share a memory of Calvin Cafritz. Cafritz exemplified what it means to be an inspirational leader and a great human being, said Pyatybratova. There are also real estate assets at Arlingtons 3701 N. Fairfax Drive, which is the former home of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Waiters passed shrimp with cocktail sauce, while full bars offered prehistoric spirits such as bourbon and gin, defiant holdouts in the age of chardonnay and bottled water. To Edward R. Murrow, in a 1956 interview, she said that to speak of Washington cocktail parties was "unfair to Washington. In his later years he established one of the Washington region's leading philanthropic entities, the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation. His commitment to causes and institutions extended beyond writing checks to giving time and energy. His mother, Gwendolyn, one of Washington's leading hostesses in the post-World War II years, was President of the Foundation from 1964 to 1988. Devoted father to Laurence (Sherri) Cafritz and Jodi (Mark Bronsky) Cafr The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the charitable organization Calvin Cafritz had led since 1989, confirmed his passing and provided a copy of his obituary, which didnt disclose cause of death. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Tribute Wall. We hoped to let the public know about these outstanding individuals and to send a message to other excellent government employees that their dedication and considerable accomplishments are valued." The Washington Harbour purchase, along with a current joint venture to develop a riverfront office and hotel project in Rosslyn, has caused speculation that Conrad Cafritz is increasingly eager to be identified with high-quality, high-profile projects that might bring him more notice. Then, in 1988, came the announcement that Conrad Cafritz, with Japanese partners, had bought Washington Harbour, the glitzy development below K Street in Georgetown that had been troubled from its opening; the original developer of Washington Harbour was Western. "She wanted something, and she put up with a lot of {expletive}, and she got it. Influence over the city's future -- no doubt. Cafritz Calvin Cafritz Washington developer and one of the region's leading philanthropists, died Thursday morning, January 12, 2023, at Sibley Memorial Hospital, in Washington, DC.

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