Longtime trustee Tony Tilton has passed away
Sumner B. Tilton Jr., a life member of Clark’s Board of Trustees and longtime advocate for the University and the City of Worcester, died on August 7, 2026.
Tilton — “Tony” to his family and friends — was born in Worcester on February 25, 1938, the son of Sumner B. Tilton, Sr. and Mary Elizabeth (Ellsworth) Tilton. A lifelong resident of the city, he received his bachelor’s degree from Williams College and earned his J.D., cum laude, from Boston University School of Law.
“Though not a Clark alumnus, Tony Tilton cared for this University as if it were his own alma mater,” President David Fithian said. “He offered exceptional leadership, wise counsel, and unwavering support. His deep commitment to Clark and Worcester strengthened both, while his generosity of spirit and tireless dedication to community betterment inspired all who had the privilege to work alongside him.”
Tilton dedicated countless hours to his hometown. His leadership commitments to Worcester include serving as past chair of the board of UMass Memorial Healthcare and of Choose Worcester, a private nonprofit economic development organization, and the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, among many others.
He also applied his sustained and dedicated commitment to community and philanthropy to Clark, where he helped guide the University’s relationship with the City of Worcester and was a powerful force in promoting Clark’s success. Tilton joined the Board of Trustees in 1976; during his tenure, he served as board chair and co-chair of the University’s capital campaign in the early 2010s. Tilton Hall — one of the most iconic spaces on campus — is named in recognition of his generous support of Clark. (The top photo shows the view from Tilton Hall’s expansive windows.)
Larry Landry ’71, MBA ’75, also a life member of the Board of Trustees, said his long friendship with Tilton “stood the challenge of time and geography,” and included golf trips together and visits to the Cape Cod home of Tony and his wife, Martha, following trustees’ meetings. He noted that Tilton “adopted” Clark and “worked hard for 55 years to improve the relationships between the city and the university.”
“Tony advised six Clark presidents and mentored many trustees. His contributions are immeasurable, and Clark is in a better place because of them. Clark University has lost a very special friend,” Landry said.
Roy DiNicola, chair of the Board of Trustees, said, “Tony and Martha’s contributions to Clark were immeasurable and belied the fact that they were not alums. Tony was instrumental in my learning how to be an effective nonprofit board trustee. I will miss his counsel. He was a unique combination of kind, generous, and shrewd.”
Among his many honors are the 2002 Community Service Award from the Massachusetts Bar Association in 2002 and his 2004 induction into the Boys & Girls Club of Worcester’s Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2008, the Worcester Regional Research Bureau presented him with the prestigious Isaiah Thomas Award, which recognized his efforts to help build a better community with greater opportunities for all citizens.
At Fletcher Tilton PC in Worcester, Tilton specialized in estate planning and estate and trust administration law. He also served on the firm’s Executive, Compensation, and Investment committees and as chairman of the Trusts and Estates Department. Tilton received honorary degrees from four Worcester institutions: Clark University, Assumption University, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Becker College.
Tilton is survived by his beloved wife Martha, daughters, stepson, and stepdaughter, along with 11 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
