George Rodney Wallace III

NAPLES, Fla. -- George Rodney Wallace III, 88, of Naples, formerly of Fitchburg, Mass., chairman of the George R. Wallace Foundation, died Jan. 9 in Naples, after a short illness.

Born in Fitchburg, he was the only son of George R. Wallace Jr. and Elita (Davenport) Wallace.

He graduated from the Choate School in 1934, Williams College in 1938 and the Harvard Business School in 1940.

Mr. Wallace was president of Fitchburg Paper Co. until his retirement in 1968. He was president of the Fitchburg Art Museum until his death.

Besides being a successful businessman, Mr. Wallace was known by many for his selfless dedication to the community. He was a patron and benefactor to many local charities and institutions in New England and Florida throughout his life.

He was a founding member, board member, trustee and/or president of the Chewonki Foundation, Wiscasset, Maine; The Southwest Heritage Corporation of Naples, Fla.; The Conservancy of Southwest Florida; The Community Foundation of Naples, Fla.; Cushing Academy, Ashburnham, Mass.; The Fitchburg Art Museum; Walnut Hill School, Natick, Mass.; the United Way in Fitchburg; the American Red Cross, North Central Chapter; and the Explorers Club of New York.

Additionally, he generously supported The Naples Alliance for Children; Planned Parenthood of Naples; The Naples Philharmonic Center; The Collier County Historical Society; Naples Community Hospital; The Naples Public Library; the Universalist Unitarian Church in Naples and Fitchburg; Choate School; Williams College; Harvard Business School; and Babson College in Wellesley, Mass.

Mr. Wallace, along with his contributions and caring to all that knew him, will be missed.

He is survived by a son, Christopher Wallace of Newmarket, N.H.; a daughter, Pamela Wallace of Marlborough, Mass.; and a grandson, Curtis Rodney Mueller. He was predeceased by his wife, Constance (Curtis) Wallace, formerly of Leominster, Mass., and a son, Peter Wallace.

WALLACE -- On Jan. 9, George Rodney Wallace III, 88, of Naples, Fla. A memorial service for Mr. Wallace will be held Saturday, May 22, at 1 p.m., at the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Fitchburg Art Museum, 185 Elm St., Fitchburg, MA 01420.