Bud & Nancy Haylor in their garden

Bud Haylor

Burnett (Bud) Haylor’s 92 years in Syracuse contributed to a life well lived. Now his legacy of generosity will live on in his name for generations.

Burnett (Bud) Haylor’s 92 years in Syracuse contributed to a life well lived. The successful businessman, caring husband and father and consistent advocate and supporter of local causes never hesitated to lend a helping hand, along with his knowledge and wit, while forever remaining humble. Now, thanks to a gift left through his will, Bud’s generosity will be living on through continued support to local charities for many years to come.

Bud began living generously at an early age and he credited his parents’ influence for his giving.

“I was brought up to learn that we were fortunate and should therefore share with others when we can,” he said in a 2017 interview.

Nancy, Bud’s wife of 65 years, says that this theme carried on throughout Bud’s life: “He always felt that the reason he did well in business was because of the people in our community who helped him. He felt a calling to repay the community for what he was able to receive.”

After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II and graduating from Cornell University in 1948, Bud began working for his father’s insurance company, which would eventually be known as Haylor, Freyer & Coon. He slowly worked his way up from the role of desk clerk to co-owner and president of the company before retiring after 42 years. His hard work led to significant growth in the business, which is now 200 employees strong and extended across six offices. But even after working long hours each day at the office, he often went out again many nights of the week to volunteer his services on multiple charitable boards and committees.

Bud spared his time for many organizations. Among them were Campfire Girls, Jr., the Chamber of Commerce, Citizens Foundation, Everson Museum of Art Trip Committee, Oakwood Cemetery and SCORE Association. He also served as chairman of the Red Cross County Disaster Response Committee for 25 years. One of Bud’s favorite causes was the YMCA of Greater Syracuse, where his father began taking him when he was seven years old. His wife even still jokes that “the Y came before Nancy.”

The Haylors are long-time friends of ours, as well. Bud and Nancy opened a donor-advised fund in 1981 to help make their giving more convenient. Bud once told us he enjoyed the flexibility of being able to give to his favorite charities year after year, regardless of how the business was doing at any given time. When the couple’s daughter, Tracy, a fiber artist and teacher, died tragically at age 49, they sought us out to help honor her memory. To follow in line with her passions, the Tracy L. Haylor Memorial Fund was established to honor artistic excellence and high levels of craftsmanship among young artists, especially students participating in the Central New York Scholastic Arts competition.

Related Stories

hand holding growing money
Publications September 18, 2023

Helping your Clients Get Organized: Structure Is a Critical Step in Multi-Generational Philanthropy

Learn how Jeff Knauss and his wife use their donor-advised to engage their children in ...

Blogs September 15, 2023

Reflections: Continued Learning for Equity/Reflexiones: Aprendizaje Continuo para la Equidad

Yeisha Núñez-Denson, tells us about her experience joining our efforts toward an equitable internal work ...

Woman sitting with girl holding books
Blogs August 21, 2023

Unlocking Potential through Reading as A Book Buddy Volunteer

Juliet Nabinger, employee benefits senior specialist at OneGroup and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how her ...

Family sits on porch of new home on Shuart Ave
Stories August 19, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Home HeadQuarters

A $500,000 Program Related Investment (PRI) to Home HeadQuarters (HHQ) acted as a loan loss ...

Stories August 17, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Cooperative Federal

A $250,000 secondary capital loan is helping Cooperative Federal expand lending in the Syracuse community.

Stories August 14, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Pathfinder Bank

Pathfinder Bank tells us how a $500,000 deposit at their new Southwest Branch helped serve ...

Blogs August 7, 2023

Reflections: Amplifying Voices for Equity

Juliet Maloff, senior communications officer, explains how we are shifting some of our storytelling to ...

Children looking through binoculars on Syracuse street
Publications August 1, 2023

Payment Pending: CNY Nonprofit Funding Delays From the State Level

Colby Cyrus, CAPM and Frank Ridzi, Ph.D. outline our analysis of how often New York ...

News Releases July 27, 2023

LeadSafeCNY: A Look at our Neighborhood Investments

A new heat map demonstrates the impact of our neighborhood investments so far through the ...

hand holding growing money
Publications September 18, 2023

Helping your Clients Get Organized: Structure Is a Critical Step in Multi-Generational Philanthropy

Learn how Jeff Knauss and his wife use their donor-advised to engage their children in ...

Blogs September 15, 2023

Reflections: Continued Learning for Equity/Reflexiones: Aprendizaje Continuo para la Equidad

Yeisha Núñez-Denson, tells us about her experience joining our efforts toward an equitable internal work ...

Woman sitting with girl holding books
Blogs August 21, 2023

Unlocking Potential through Reading as A Book Buddy Volunteer

Juliet Nabinger, employee benefits senior specialist at OneGroup and Book Buddies Volunteer, shares how her ...

Family sits on porch of new home on Shuart Ave
Stories August 19, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Home HeadQuarters

A $500,000 Program Related Investment (PRI) to Home HeadQuarters (HHQ) acted as a loan loss ...

Stories August 17, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Cooperative Federal

A $250,000 secondary capital loan is helping Cooperative Federal expand lending in the Syracuse community.

Stories August 14, 2023

Impact Investing Profile: Pathfinder Bank

Pathfinder Bank tells us how a $500,000 deposit at their new Southwest Branch helped serve ...

Blogs August 7, 2023

Reflections: Amplifying Voices for Equity

Juliet Maloff, senior communications officer, explains how we are shifting some of our storytelling to ...

Children looking through binoculars on Syracuse street
Publications August 1, 2023

Payment Pending: CNY Nonprofit Funding Delays From the State Level

Colby Cyrus, CAPM and Frank Ridzi, Ph.D. outline our analysis of how often New York ...

News Releases July 27, 2023

LeadSafeCNY: A Look at our Neighborhood Investments

A new heat map demonstrates the impact of our neighborhood investments so far through the ...

View More