Scarsdale Congregational Church

In mid 2000, a commercial web site was using quotes by Phil Carret to promote its online product. This was a sharp reminder that Phil died before scc-ucc.org was born, and therefore visitors to this site have not been "pointed" to online reminders of this great man.

Phil was born on November 29, 1896. We celebrated his 100th birthday with a giant banner raised in his honor during worship in our sanctuary. He died at age 101.

Phil was known around the world as the 1928 founder of the Pioneer Fund, one of the first mutual funds. Just four years later, he joined the Scarsdale Congregational Church on March 27, 1932.

As the commercial web site noted in its promotion, Phil's life was far broader than financial investments. "Other lessons can be gleaned from Carret's life. It wasn't spent with eyes glued to the stock ticker. He made time for things he enjoyed, such as solar eclipses, which he would travel virtually anywhere to observe.

"He was generous with and loyal to his friends. When he prepared his housekeeper's tax return for her, he quietly paid the taxes due, as well. He was a man of principle. Years ago, when a social club at Harvard agreed to accept him on the condition that he "lose his Jewish roommate," Carret told the club to take a hike."

For a tribute to Phil, try the site of Outstanding Investor Digest. Read his investment principles as recorded on June 17, 1997, and see them summarized on the web site of Carret and Company, Inc., the firm he founded.

The personal and financial generosity of Phil and his wife Betty continue to bless our fellowship. It is good to be reminded of them!