DAVID HENRY CARLS

1938 - 2025

CARLS, David Henry Beloved husband, father, grandfather and community leader, passed away peacefully at his home, on January 11, 2025, at the age of 86. Born on March 24, 1938 in Jersey City, NJ, David was the son of Henry Edward and Lillian Luhrman Carls. His life was a testament to integrity, curiosity and a deep commitment to family and community. David's academic journey began at Yale University, where he majored in Economics and was a proud member of Phi Gamma Delta. He continued his education at Harvard Law School, graduating in 1963 and began his legal career at the Wall Street firm White & Case. During this time, he married his first wife, Diana Young and began a lifelong pursuit of excellence in both his professional and personal endeavors. In the mid-1960s, David used his exceptional organizational and persuasive skills to support progressive Republican candidates, contributing to the successful mayoral campaign of John Lindsay in New York City. Though he offered a prominent role in the Lindsay administration, David chose to move his young family to Boston to join Goodwin, Procter & Hoar. David's career evolved from corporate law to real estate investment and development, where his analytical mind and impeccable reputation earned him widespread respect in the Greater Boston area. A trusted advisor and entrepreneur, David's integrity drew opportunities to him, leading to the successful turnaround of the Corion Corporation, its sale to Thermo Electron in 1995 and his involvement in the development of King Terminal in South Boston. In 1999, David began a new chapter with his second wife, Maria Georgiopoulos Mackavey, building a life filled with love, adventure and shared passions. They divided time between their homes in Wayland and West Stockbridge, MA, where their Berkshire residence became a lively hub for family gatherings and cherished memories. The home was further enriched by a long line of rescued pets, including David's loyal canine companion, Pepe. In the Berkshires, David also cultivated his passion for gardening, earning acclaim for his award-winning fruits and vegetables, while fostering a deep connection to the land. David's nurturing spirit extended beyond family and garden to his community. He served selflessly on boards and committees for organizations such as the United Way of MetroWest, the Town of Wayland, Associated Industries of Massachusetts, the Berkshire Botanical Garden, where he was board chair, church vestries and Yale scholarship drives. Through his service and philanthropy, David touched countless lives and left an indelible mark on the communities he cherished. David is survived by his devoted wife and caregiver, Maria Georgiopoulos Mackavey Carls; his children, Peter Carls of Westboro, MA, Elizabeth Carls (Louis Brueggeman) of Bethesda, MD and Susan Churchill (Tom) of Boulder, CO; and his stepchildren, Christopher Phoenix Dolezal of New York, NY and Jill Mackavey (Rick Tagliaferri) of Ashland, MA. He is also lovingly remembered by his grandchildren, Jonathan Carls, Aloha, Timothy and Rose Churchill and Ursula and William Brueggeman; step-grandchildren, Noah Tagliaferri (Kate) and Amalia and Kai Phoenix Dolezal; brother, Richard Carls and his companion, Emma Harrison of Wellesley, MA; along with nieces, Alexa Hogarty and Olivia Steidle; and nephew, Nicholas Carls. David was preceded in death by his step-grandson, Alec Tagliaferri. A Visitation will be held at George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 477 Washington Street, WELLESLEY, MA, on Friday, January 17, from 4:00 – 7:00 PM. A Funeral Service will follow at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 57 Brown Street, Weston, MA, on Saturday, January 18, at 11:00 AM, followed by interment in Lakeview Cemetery, Wayland. David's legacy of kindness, dedication and service will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Berkshire Botanical Garden or a charity of your choice in his memory. The family also wishes to acknowledge Tina Earl of Lee, MA and the entire team of Berkshire Visiting Angels for their compassionate care and support. For online guestbook, gfdoherty.com George F. Doherty & Sons Wellesley 781 235 4100