Obituary of George Andrew Davala III

George Andrew Davala III of Rowayton, Connecticut and Vero Beach, Florida died peacefully, surrounded by his family on July 1 after a brief illness. He was 71.

He was a family man who was devoted to his wife of 39 years, Georgia, and his two children, Ali and Drew.

Born at home in Hallowell, Maine on December 15, 1952, he was a standout student-athlete at Hall-Dale High School and was a starting guard on the basketball team that won the 1972 Maine State Championship.

He attended Wesleyan University where he received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1976 and played basketball and baseball. He earned his MBA at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1984.

George began a highly successful career in finance in New York in the late 80s before joining Greenwich Capital, where he helped build the firm's mortgage-backed securities business for the next 20 years.

George was an active philanthropist and made a significant impact in the communities where he lived. A resident of Wilton, Connecticut for 30 years, he was a devout Catholic who regularly attended Our Lady of Fatima. He served on the board of A Better Chance, a non-profit organization aimed at helping underprivileged young people through education. In Vero Beach, he was a supporter of the Boy's and Girl's Club of Indian River County and served on the board.

George and his wife traveled the world from Paris to Patagonia with family and friends, often discovering off-the-beaten path destinations while hiking and biking. George loved his coffee in the morning and a good cocktail at night. He was a perfectionist who had high standards for himself and those he loved. He was a fierce competitor whether it be playing cards, paddle tennis, pickleball or his beloved game of golf, which he worked hard at every day. George was a long-time Boston sports fan, taking his family to numerous Super Bowls to cheer on his beloved Patriots.

He loved to entertain and make everyone around him laugh. He told a great story with passion. He was a champion of the underdog with a remarkably generous spirit. His handsome smile was infectious.

George took the most pride in his family. He cherished long walks on the beach with his wife and dog. He loved watching his son build a career and a family. He was smitten with his new granddaughter Ruby. He looked forward to walking his daughter Ali down the aisle this fall and swinging her around the dance floor.

He is survived by his wife Georgia Young Davala; his daughter, Alexandra Louise Davala of Pacific Palisades, California; his son, George Andrew Davala IV (Shannon) of New York, New York; his granddaughter Ruby Alexandra Davala; his sister, Marialyce Davala of Augusta, Maine; and numerous nieces and nephews. His parents, George Andrew II and Ruby Davala, predeceased him.

Services will be held at Our Lady of Fatima in Wilton, CT on Tuesday, July 9 at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in George's memory may be made to A Better Chance of Wilton and The Boys & Girls Club of Indian River County.