In Memoriam: William D. Davies Jr.

From Fred D. Knapp & Son Funeral Home.

William D. Davies Jr., known as Bill to family and friends, passed away on Tuesday evening, January 5, 2016 at the age of 87. He died peacefully at Stamford Hospital with his gracious demeanor on display to the end.

Bill was born and raised in Greenwich. He graduated from the Choate School in 1946 and his beloved Yale University in 1950. Bill married Helena White (Fifi) on April 19, 1952 at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Manhattan and they were happily married for 57 years until her death in 2009.

Bill loved to travel and he did so extensively: living abroad with his family in the Philippines, Australia and Japan. He travelled the world on numerous business trips as a successful executive at Squibb Pharmaceutical, Morton-Norwich and Heidrick & Struggles.

Most of all, Bill was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word: he genuinely cared for people and he was interested in what they had to say, whether the conversation took place at a Yale football tailgate, the Camp Pasquaney waterfront, or at the Thanksgiving table. Relationships were important to him and he cultivated them caringly, seasoning them with his warm smile and his rich laugh, as well as with his wit and wisdom.

This great care for people impacted so many lives: his siblings, his children, his grandchildren, friends, business colleagues and countless others. Bill’s strong concern for character development and for helping others was reflected in his generous commitment of time and energy to Camp Pasquaney, Camp Onaway, the Mayhew Program and the Circle Program in New Hampshire, where he was a friend, mentor and inspiration to campers, council staff and trustees over decades.

Bill’s investment of time and care in people has left a lasting legacy in the many lives he has touched.

Bill is survived by his sister, Helen Simpson; his brother, Edward Davies; his children, Sandi Barada, Tad Davies and Peter Davies; 10 grandchildren and his dear friend, Joan Markey.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, January 16 at 11 a.m. at St. Michael Church, 469 North St. in Greenwich.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of the following programs which were near and dear to Bill’s heart:

The Mayhew Program (helping at risk New Hampshire boys to believe in themselves)
Newfound Lake
P.O. Box 120
293 West Shore Rd
Bristol, NH 03222
(603) 744-6131
www.mayhew.org

The Circle Program (helping girls from low-income New Hampshire families to handle the challenges in their lives)
85 Main Street
P.O. Box 815
Plymouth, NH 03264
(603) 536-4244
www.circleprogram.org