Jay Fishman, the chairman and former chief executive officer of the Travelers Companies, has died.
The 63-year-old Fishman stepped down from the CEO’s post last year after announcing he was suffering from ALS. The company confirmed Friday that he died at his home in New Jersey.
Fishman became CEO in 2004, after the merger of the St Paul Companies with Travelers Property Casualty Inc. He was credited with steering the insurer successfully through the 2008 financial crisis. The company says the role of Chairman of the Board will now be filled by John Dasburg.
“We are greatly saddened by the loss of our esteemed colleague and friend," said Dasburg in a statement issued by Travelers. "Our thoughts are with his wife Randy and the entire Fishman family during this difficult time. Jay was an inspirational leader, and he built a management team that has established Travelers as a clear industry leader. Jay will be missed by the entire Travelers family.”
Governor Dannel Malloy paid tribute, saying in a statement that he last saw Fishman just two week ago, at the Travelers Golf Championship in Cromwell.
“He was not just a great individual, but an inspiration to those around him," said Malloy. "The strength of spirit he displayed, the extraordinary philanthropy he showed, the mission to improve the world around him – all will never be forgotten by the Hartford community."
Travelers has its property casualty lines of business headquartered in Hartford.
