George Edward Davis

George Edward Davis departed this life, answering God’s call for him to come home on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at Norwalk Hospital with the love of his life, his wife Harriet, and the sparkle of his eyes, daughters Cynthia and Leslie. Brother George Edward Davis was the son of the late Jesse and Willie Lee Davis and was born on July 16, 1936, in Wrens, Georgia. George attended J.M. Wright Technical Trade School in Stamford, CT. From Wrens, Georgia, the family moved to Stamford, Connecticut. Whereby, in the city of White Plains, George met his wife to be Harriet Hairston. Meeting as teenagers, George was immediately adored by Harriet’s New York family. George always treated Harriet as his queen because of his gentlemen’s nature. Harriet's family loved his upstanding character and his contagious smile, loved his helpful nature, and how he encouraged people around him through his deeds and words. George enjoyed anything that life had to bring especially with Harriet being by his side, the sky was the limit. Smittened and enamored, he asked for Harriet’s hand in holy matrimony. They had a wedding that spanned across two states filled with family and friends celebrating the couple's union on August 24th, 1958. Three years later they would have their first daughter, Cynthia, and two years after that, their second daughter, Leslie. George’s greatest joy was family. George was a dedicated Usher at Bethel A.M.E. Methodist Church in Stamford, CT. During his youth, George played for the Negro Youth Baseball League with his brothers John and Warren, as well as in the Polycast Baseball League where they became champions. George held various positions throughout his career, including Supervisor at Polycast Plastic Fabrication, Machlett Laboratories in Stamford. Manager at Pensar in Norwalk, before eventually settling at Technicon Instruments in Tarrytown, NY. George combined his learned trades and became a Master Glassblower, earning membership in the American Scientific Glassblowing Society. George quickly gained recognition for his skills and was sought after by scientists and engineers at Technicon for research and development of the company's patents. George would draft and manufacture prototypes that spanned the globe, including training employees at the company's plant in Puerto Rico. Despite being told that the administration would never let him hire a Black man as supervisor. George made the brave decision, along with his wife Harriet, to become self-employed and take charge of their own destiny. George spent countless evenings manufacturing from his garage in Stamford under the name GEHD Glassblowing before rebranding to Vitro Technology, Ltd. in 1980, establishing the first Black-owned and operated scientific glassblowing company in the United States on Wilson Avenue in Norwalk, CT. George Davis' exceptional skills in scientific glassblowing made him highly sought after. George traveled extensively throughout the United States to assist with research and development of scientific glassware for a variety of instruments. George’s expertise was crucial in the development of equipment such as mammography, PET Scan, CT Scan, radar for Defense applications, blood analyzers, and even TV commercials. George's unique approach and creative problem-solving abilities made him an invaluable asset in the scientific community, and his contributions left a lasting impact on the industry. As the President of Vitro Technology, George frequently received invitations to speak and present at various events. George enjoyed engaging the community on glassblowing, especially at the Norwalk Senior Center. George regularly participated as a vendor at the PittConn Conferences and Exhibitions, where Vitro Technology hosted events and conducted demonstrations for the American Scientific Glassblowing Conferences. The company's contributions were also featured in renowned media outlets like Cablevision, The Norwalk Hour, and Business Week Magazine. Nonetheless, one of George's most noteworthy engagements was with The Children's Village in NY, a non-profit organization that partners with families to provide support for society's most vulnerable children. During his visit, George not only created a family of glass elephants before the students' eyes but also delivered an inspiring message about never giving up and always remembering their importance to the world. The students were completely engaged in his presentation, and some even sent letters thanking George for inspiring them to follow their dreams. The spring was particularly special to George and Harriet. They would often take drives around the surrounding towns to get inspiration for new landscape arrangements. George had a special love for vibrant flowers, and his green thumb ensured that over 100 blooms graced their property each season. George’s passion for gardening extended beyond flowers: he took it upon himself to plant all the trees, shrubs, and bushes on their land. With his meticulous care and attention to detail, George's landscaping and garden arrangements were truly breathtaking, resembling those featured in the pages of House & Garden magazine. It was evident that George cherished his surroundings and took pride in maintaining their natural beauty. George's floral garden arrangements were not only breathtaking to see, but they also represented a story, their story, the celebration of God's presence in their lives. Often, George would sit in his garden pausing in the peace that the tranquility provided, giving him a much-needed break from the demands of everyday life. George was always grateful to take in God’s beauty. George was preceded in death by his parents Jesse and Willie Lee Davis, his brothers; Jesse, Weldon, Gardtrell, John, and Warren Davis, his sisters, Louise Whitfield, Ruby Walker, and Bernice Hudson, and his son-in-law, Victor Davis, and sister-in-law Joyce Daniels. At the time of passing George was the last surviving sibling of his family. George leaves to cherish and carry on his legacy: this virtuous woman of God that he adored his wife, Harriet Davis, two Daughters: Cynthia Davis, and Leslie Davis-Green, son-in-law Hubert Lee Green; six grandchildren, Paige Green, Jodi Green, Victor (Christopher) Davis, Olivia Davis, Kaitlyn Davis, and Aliyah Green; two great-grandchildren, Da’Quan (Heze) Harris, and Lyllianna (Lylli) Green. Godson Reginald Hairston, Jr. Over 30 nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, in-laws, Marie Davis (John), Nancy Davis (Warren), Janet Daniels, Mark Daniels (Jennifer), Colette Daniels Bates (Ron), and cherished family friend Isabella Ruggieri. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” Romans 21:4 HE KNOWS MY NAME “Your love, legacy, and spirit are forever woven into the fabric of our lives. Thank you for being a living, walking testimony forever watching over us.” Submitted In Love by The Family Visitation will be held Friday, April 21, 2023 from 10:00AM - 11:00AM followed by a service of celebration at 11:00AM at Bethel AME Church 150 Fairfield Ave., Stamford, CT. Interment will follow at St. John's Cemetery, Norwalk, CT.

Tributes

George Edward Davis

July 16, 1936 - April 12, 2023