Edward T. Cloonan

Edward T. ‘Ned’ Cloonan, a resident of Greenwich, Connecticut, and former Vice President of Corporate and International Affairs for AIG, passed away at age 70 on December 19, 2021.

Born in Boston on October 12,1951, Ned grew up in Waltham, Massachusetts, the son of the Fire Chief. Ned was the product of local parochial schools where he was a gifted and accomplished baseball player and a competitive swimmer. These early experiences shaped his attitude and approach to career and leadership. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, magna cum laude, and Phi Beta Kappa. He went on to obtain a master’s degree from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. There he met his wife Linda Sherry, the daughter of a diplomat; Linda went on to enjoy a successful career with the United Nations. Ned and Linda were married for 38 years and have a daughter, Olivia.

In thirty years at AIG, Ned Cloonan built one of the most highly effective and respected government relations and global external affairs operations in corporate America. Aligning people and processes, Ned was among the best in his field. Known for constant innovation in a traditional industry, Ned was at the center of groundbreaking work for AIG in opening new markets and growing AIG into one of the largest and most profitable companies in the world under the leadership of Maurice ‘Hank’ Greenberg. Ned was instrumental in securing licenses for AIG to conduct business in new major markets in China, India, and Vietnam. At AIG Ned also built a successful corporate global philanthropic program. Ned received early recognition for his leadership and performance at AIG and was named a C.V. Starr partner.

Ned was known for building a work culture where every day was like the “playoffs,” not the regular season; every detail and everyone involved mattered, which in turn, created a culture of responsibility, high expectations, and success. He believed that when you engage with the best athletes and talent possible, you yourself become a better performer.

Ned, Linda, and Olivia lived in Greenwich, Connecticut for 27 years, and also enjoyed a summer home in Maine. After retiring from AIG, Ned was a pro-active, forward-thinking asset to numerous corporate, advisory and non-profit boards, including among others the UMass School of Business, the National Committee on US-China Relations, the Americas Society/Council of the Americas, the Battery Dance Company, and the Greenwich YMCA. He remained active in competitive sports as an active masters swimmer and a certified masters swimming coach.

Above all, Ned will be remembered as a loving life partner, an adoring father, and a generous and loyal friend. A selfless mentor, Ned genuinely touched the lives of many of all ages with his kindness, thoughtfulness, and empathy – always coming to the aid of those who needed help. He was admired greatly for his intelligence and his unique ability to connect with everyone he met. He was a wonderful man, a man of substance, who will be greatly missed.

Details of a memorial service, to be held in Greenwich, Connecticut, will be announced at a later date.