Family Business Program Honors Tuthill Lighting with 100 Year Legacy Award

The Family Business Program at St. John Fisher University recently honored Tuthill Lighting with its 100 Year Legacy Award, which honors businesses that exemplify longevity, resilience, and family values.

“The 100-year family business milestone is one to celebrate, and we are honored to recognize Tuthill Lighting, a stalwart example of innovation and success within the Rochester business community,” said Dr. Carol Wittmeyer, director of the Family Business Program.

The award was given during the program’s May event, “Creating Family Governance for Business Continuity: The Mirabito Family Journey,” which explored the importance of family governance in the business transition process. The forum was supported by Cardinal Sponsor Key Private Bank. Tuthill is the third business to be honored with the 100 Year Legay Award, joining Doyle Security and Cornell’s Jewelers.

Fisher Trustee Randy White ’75, CEO of JNWhite and founding chair of the Family Business Program Steering Committee, presented the award to Bruce S. Bellwood, president of Tuthill and third-generation leader of the lighting showroom.

Tuthill was founded by Bellwood’s grandfather, G.B. Tuthill, in 1924, and has since become a nationally renowned authority in lighting. Bellwood’s mother, Esther Mae Tuthill Bellwood, took over the business in 1959 and moved the store to 1689 Monroe Avenue. Tuthill has maintained its Monroe Avenue location for more than 100 years, making it the longest operating business on the thoroughfare.

“The central element in a long-term business is evolvement,” said Bellwood. “It is either consistently evolve or close your doors.”