One of the Berkshire Eagle’s local owners died at his New York City home Saturday night.
M&T Bank Corp. CEO Robert Wilmers, then a local businessman, bought his home in Stockbridge in 1969. In 1983, Wilmers took the helm of M&T Bank, and turned the Buffalo-based banking operation into a $120 billion regional financial titan.
Wilmers was among the group that purchased The Berkshire Eagle and three Vermont papers in 2016.
The 83-year-old donated millions of dollars to Berkshire art and cultural organizations, including The Mount in Lenox and MASS MoCA.
Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett told The Buffalo News Sunday Wilmers was “a remarkable banker, an even more remarkable citizen and wonderful friend.”