J. Peter Grace

Joseph Peter Grace Jr. (May 25, 1913 – April 19, 1995) Was an American industrialist who was president of the diversified chemical company, W. R. Grace & Co., for 48 years, making him the longest serving CEO of a public company. Born in Manhasset, New York, he succeeded his father, Joseph Peter Grace Sr. (1872–1950), as President and CEO of W. R. Grace and Company after his father suffered a stroke in 1945. The firm was founded by his grandfather William R. Grace, the first Roman Catholic to be elected Mayor of New York City. Michael Paul Grace, an earlier chairman of the board of directors of W.R. Grace & Co., was his uncle. His maternal grandfather was Charles B. Macdonald, a major figure in early American golf who built the first 18-hole course in the United States. Early life and career Joseph Peter Grace Jr. was born May 25, 1913 in Manhasset, New York. His father was Joseph Peter Grace Sr., the former president and CEO of W.R. Grace, and his mother was Janet MacDonald. His siblings were Janet Maureen Grace, Charles MacDonald Grace, Michael P. Grace ll, and Nora Grace. He attended St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire and Yale University. In 1936, he started working in the W.R. Grace mailroom when he was at the age of 23. He became CEO and president of W.R. Grace when his father had a stroke in 1945 and subsequently retired in 1946.