Fletcher Tilton announces, with deep sadness, the passing of Sumner “Tony” Tilton, Jr., a senior partner who passed away on Friday, August 7, 2026. Tony had a distinguished career as an attorney, trustee, and community leader for the past sixty-three years. His leadership within Fletcher Tilton was instrumental to its success and growth into a regional law firm with offices in Worcester, Boston, Providence, Framingham, and Cape Cod.
Mr. Tilton served as Chair of Fletcher Tilton’s Investment Committee and maintained an active trust and estate practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and management of charitable trusts and foundations. He was an elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel.
Within the firm, Mr. Tilton was widely regarded as a mentor and support to attorneys and staff. To his clients, he was a trusted and loyal advisor. To the greater Worcester community, he was a tireless civic leader who was awarded the Isaiah Thomas Award for Civic Leadership in 2008. His civic leadership included service as Life Trustee and former Chairman of Clark University’s Board of Trustees, Honorary Trustee of the Worcester Art Museum and the EcoTarium, and former Chairman of Choose Worcester, Inc. He was also a former member of the Worcester Redevelopment Authority, and at the time of his passing served as Trustee of the Francis A. and Jacquelyn H. Harrington Foundation, Board Trustee of Cape Cod Healthcare, Inc., and Trustee of both the Ruth H. and Warren A. Ellsworth Foundation and the Mildred H. McEvoy Foundation.
Mr. Tilton graduated from Williams College and earned his J.D., cum laude, from Boston University School of Law. He held honorary degrees from Clark University, Assumption College, the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Becker College.
“We stand on his shoulders in so many ways,” said Fred Misilo, Jr., President of Fletcher Tilton, noting Tony’s long and productive career and the special place the firm held in his heart. “His guidance, generosity, and dedication to both this firm and this community leaves a legacy that will endure for generations.”
Fletcher Tilton extends its deepest condolences to Mr. Tilton’s family, friends, and the many clients and colleagues whose lives he touched.