Eugene K. Tonkonogy (1905 – December 30, 2001) was an entrepreneur, lawyer, and owner of the island

Marina Cay Marina Cay is an island of the British Virgin Islands in the Caribbean. The island was uninhabited until 1937, when author Robb White and newly married wife Rosalie “Rodie” Mason settled on the island. Originally having settled on the ne ...

Early life and education

Tonkonogy was born in Brooklyn in 1905. His father was a lawyer and real-estate investor. He had nine siblings, including

George T. Delacorte, Jr. George T. Delacorte Jr. (20 June 1894 – 4 May 1991) was an American magazine publisher, born in New York City. He founded the Dell Publishing in 1921. His goal was to entertain readers who were not satisfied with the genteel publications ...

and

Gertrude Friedberg Gertrude Tonkonogy Friedberg (17 March 1908 – September 17, 1989) was an American playwright and writer. Life and career Gertrude Tonkonogy was born in New York in 1908 as one of 11 children. Her siblings included Eugene Tonkonogy; George T. ...

. He completed an undergraduate degree at

Cornell University Cornell University is a private statutory land-grant research university based in Ithaca, New York. It is a member of the Ivy League. Founded in 1865 by Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, Cornell was founded with the intention to ...

, where he was an

All-America The All-America designation is an annual honor bestowed upon an amateur sports person from the United States who is considered to be one of the best amateurs in their sport. Individuals receiving this distinction are typically added to an All-Am ...

n in lacrosse. He was inducted into the senior honor society

Sphinx Head The Sphinx Head Society is the oldest senior honor society at Cornell University. Sphinx Head recognizes Cornell senior men and women who have demonstrated respectable strength of character on top of a dedication to leadership and service at Corn ...

. He later completed a law degree from

Columbia University Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manha ...

. He married Ruth Horowitz in 1935. They remained married for 60 years until her death in 1995.

Career

Tonkonogy worked for his father-in-law's insurance brokerage firm but later took an interest in real estate. He specialized in lining up investment properties with wealthy investors, which resulting in property developments in East Hampton in the 1940s and 1950s. Tonkonogy first learned about the Caribbean island

after reading an article by

Robb White Robb White III (June 20, 1909 – November 24, 1990) was an American writer of screenplays, television scripts, and adventure novels. Most of the latter had a maritime setting, often the Pacific Navy during World War II. White was best ...

in ''

Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...

''. After years of persuading both the owner to sell the island and the British colonial governor to grant him a license, he purchased the island, which he used as a private retreat and also rented out as a tourist property. In his 70s, Tonkonogy fulfilled a lifetime dream of marching in the

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade in New York City presented by the U.S.-based department store chain Macy's. The Parade first took place in 1924, tying it for the second-oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States wit ...

as a clown. He continued to volunteer as a clown in the parade every year for 20 years, finally relenting due to age.

Death

Tonkonogy died on December 30, 2001, in Manhattan, aged 95. He was survived by his daughters, Susan and Peggy Ann, and one granddaughter.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tonkonogy, Eugene K. 1905 births 2001 deaths 20th-century American businesspeople Cornell University alumni Columbia Law School alumni