Painting a Legacy: Warren Loranger Endowment

A talented artist. A generous philanthropist. A humble, quiet giver to those in need. Warren Louis Loranger, born February 18, 1924, was one of Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s very first donors. He was an extremely generous, humble, quiet man with a warm personality who came to Naples from his home town of Bay City, Michigan. Loranger designed and built his winter residence in Manasota Key.

While he loved giving large gifts to charities, most of Loranger’s philanthropy was directed to people in need. “Warren would read about a family in the newspaper who lost their home to a fire, and send them money to buy a new home or pay rent for six months. He would learn about people in need and help them whether it was with expensive dental work or college costs,” said Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s Senior Vice President of Philanthropy Kirstin Fulkerson. “Warren put countless deserving young people through college, none of whom were related to him. They were people he met along his way in life, whether families he met through the charities he supported, people he heard about in the community, or family and friends of his employees. I have no idea how many houses and college educations he bought. He probably lost count. Warren loved this role the most – simply helping people to better their lives,” Fulkerson continued. Loranger indeed loved helping and mentoring people. Many of his employees were children of previous employees. He mentored multiple generations of families who worked for him. Loranger was always helping people and never expected anything back. He formed many friendships because he was so generous.

According to an article in 2012 by Ringling College of Art and Design, Loranger retired to Florida after owning several businesses, including Pella Windows and Doors Michigan, Detroit Door and Hardware Company, and Fire Doors Incorporated. Loranger received a degree in architectural engineering from the University of Detroit Mercy. He also served in the 12^th Air Force in Italy and France in World World II before becoming a highly successful business owner.

An Artist and Philanthropist

Loranger was an artist and philanthropist, generously giving to: The Warren Loranger-YMCA of Englewood, SKY Academy, Englewood Art Center of Ringling College of Art and Design, U of D Mercy Detroit, and many others. He became a vital part of the Englewood Art Center as a supporter, advisor, and artist. In 2008, to help ensure the future of the Englewood Art Center, he established the Warren Loranger Fund for Englewood Art Center at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. This is a significant charitable endowment to provide funding in perpetuity for maintenance and physical improvements to the facility. Ringling College of Art and Design took the Englewood Art Center under their umbrella in 2008. One of the galleries there is named The Warren Loranger Gallery, dedicated to exhibitions by community artists.

Englewood Art Center Executive Director Samantha Parkinson shared, “One of the most important things about Warren and his time here is that he was very generous and a strong advocate and supporter of the arts. He stayed involved with the Englewood Art Center which I always appreciated. He always had insights if I needed guidance. I really admired and appreciated that from him as a person. He always made time for us,” continued Parkinson. “Warren was an artist. We did a retrospective of his work in his namesake gallery in 2019. He was a creative human being and that was something we really valued. We wouldn’t be where we are without his support. He was incredibly supportive of many arts organizations, especially in south county. It wasn’t about recognition for him, but rather supporting things he believed in.”

In 2017, Loranger set up a second endowment with Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the Warren Loranger Endowed Fund, which supports Bay Area Family YMCA, Operation Smile, SKY Family YMCA (including the Englewood Sky Academy), and Venice Art Center. Loranger’s effort to set up two permanently endowed funds at Gulf Coast Community Foundation showed that he was creating long-term support for the community forever. “I feel honored to have worked with Warren for many years in his successful quest for philanthropy. Warren is forever engrained in our community, especially in the Englewood area. He had a gentle spirit and was strong in his conviction with a good sense of humor to boot. He was extremely detail oriented and a true relationship builder. Warren’s charitable gifts to our community will be felt for generations of families to come,” added Fulkerson.

Loranger’s Endless Contributions

Executive Director of Venice Art Center Mary Moscatelli shared, “Warren was a big part of the Venice and Englewood areas. In the beginning of the Venice Art Center, he helped us build our courtyard, fountain, and more. He was an artist as well and entered multiple shows. He was particularly proud of the painting he called ‘Primary by the Nose.’ He did this mixed media artwork before I was here and he always talked about how he had won first place at the Venice Art Center. Warren was someone who would come in and not even tell you he was here. He’d be in the café, walking around the building, and we would bump into each other and he’d want to see how everything was going. He would tell me stories and he even wrote a book, a memoir titled In My Own Words, which he signed and gave to me. He was one of the most generous people I knew.”

Moscatelli continues, “Warren told me one day that he had some sort of windfall of money that he wasn’t expecting. He said, ‘You know what? I know what I want to do with this.’ He found all of the managers who worked for him and even if they were deceased, he found their children or families, split the money up, and mailed them a check. Warren said, ‘They are the ones who made my business what it was.’ I thought this was the real definition of the kind of person he was,” said Moscatelli.  “Warren provided long-term support for us through an endowment which makes a big impact on us every year. It has not only financially helped us, but he was also a friend and fun to talk with. He was a champion for arts, children, animals, education, and many human service causes.”

Moscatelli shared that Warren’s favorite quote from his book, a memoir on his life, experiences, travel, and people and organizations he met along the way, was: “You will find your purpose where you find your happiness.” “He was an accomplished businessman and I gained so much wisdom from him,” continues Moscatelli.

Suzanne Bowe, who was the bookkeeper and office manager at Englewood Art Center and is currently the exhibition coordinator at Venice Art Center, knew Warren for over ten years. She shares, “I remember Warren as a very quiet man. He wasn’t presumptuous about giving or donating anything. He just liked to think like one of the people. He was a very good artist and not too many people knew that. He liked to make jewelry. Warren wanted to be known as a good person, rather than someone who provided funding. And he was a good person,” concludes Bowe.

Loranger died peacefully at 98 years old on July 23, 2022 at the Carroll Center of Glen Ridge on Palmer Ranch. His contributions to our country and his generous, thoughtful spirit and artistic talents will forever be remembered.