Michael Hamilton Davis

Stonington - Michael Hamilton Davis of Stonington, died July 8, 2021, at age 84. He is survived by his wife Daphne Barnard Davis; and his daughter Pamela Davis Owens (Brian) of New York City. He is also survived by his brother Daniel Abner Davis Jr. of Saunderstown, Rhode Island; and his half-brothers, John Pierrepont Sturges Jr. of Seattle, Washington, and Peter Hazard Sturges of Forks of Salmon, California.

Mr. Davis was born in New York City, where he attended St. Bernard's School. He graduated from Groton School in Massachusetts, and Yale University, Class of 1958. He later earned an MBA degree from NYU. From 1958 to 1962, he was a lieutenant, junior grade in the U.S. Navy serving as an executive officer and navigator of a patrol craft out of New London. Upon presenting his ship's papers to the American Consul General to the Bahamas, Mr. Davis was introduced to his future wife. She was one of the consul general's daughters visiting her parents in Nassau.

After leaving the Navy, Mr. Davis became an international banker with the Irving Trust Company ultimately heading its London office. While at Irving, he was a director of the American Chamber of Commerce in the U.K., and president of the Finnish American Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Davis was a founder and chairman of the Woolnoth Society which supports charities in and around the City of London. Upon returning to New York, he headed the U.S. division of Gulf International Bank, the first branch of an Arab bank in the city. Mr. Davis later served as EVP for North America Realty Services, a corporate real estate consultancy. Prior to retirement, he was director of Coopers & Lybrand's Real Estate Advisory Services.

While living in New York, Mr. Davis served as treasurer of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House for a number of years. After moving to Connecticut full time in 1995, he raised significant funds for the Stonington Historical Society as its president. Mr. Davis was a member of the Knickerbocker Club and past treasurer for 27 years, as well as a past member of the Union Club. He was a member of the Wadawanuck Club in Stonington, and the Misquamicut Club in Watch Hill, Rhode Island.

Over the course of his life, Mr. Davis took great pleasure in sailing, shooting, stalking in Scotland, tennis, backgammon and his various yellow Labs. He leaves deeply saddened friends and family.