David Henry Carls, 1938-2025

David Henry Carls, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and a great friend and supporter of Berkshire Botanical Garden, passed away peacefully at his home on Jan. 11, 2025, at the age of 86.

In 2006, Carls' love for BBG's horticulture classes led to his recruitment to the Board of Trustees. Two years later, he became chair, ushering in what he had called BBG's "modem era."

“The Garden can't just be a place to stroll and look at pretty flowers," Carls had said. "In recent years we have focused on making BBG one of the most important educational institutions in the Berkshires."

Utilizing his professional experience, he helped guide BBG's donor outreach. He practiced what he preached. His many contributions to BBG included funds for the Carls Classroom, in Center House.

"David’s commitment to BBG was total," said Madeline Hooper, BBG's vice-chair. "He loved nature, and he loved working with all of us to constantly improve our garden's experience and share our staff's knowledge with everyone who came in contact with BBG. He was a smart, gentle man and a loyal friend. I will greatly miss him."

Born on March 24, 1938, in Jersey City, N.J., Carls 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.

His 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, Carls 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 offered a prominent role in the Lindsay administration, Carls chose to move his young family to Boston to join Goodwin, Procter & Hoar.

His 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, Carls’ 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, Mass., 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 Carls’ loyal canine companion, Pepe.

In the Berkshires, he also cultivated his passion for gardening, earning acclaim for his award-winning fruits and vegetables while fostering a deep connection to the land.

"I've always been interested in gardening and growing vegetables,” Carls told Cuttings magazine. He shared how at the age of 10, he successfully grew an orange tree in his family's New Jersey sun porch. When the Carls moved to the Berkshires, he worked on his new vegetable garden. He enrolled in a composting course at BBG, which initiated the couple's long relationship with BBG.

“We both got involved,” Maria said, “but David really gave his heart to the Garden."

“He participated in our annual Grow Shows and won many prizes,” recalled Matt Larkin, BBG’s chair.

Carls is survived by his devoted wife and caregiver, Maria; his children, Peter Carls of Westboro, Mass., Elizabeth Carls (Louis Brueggeman) of Bethesda, Md., and Susan Churchill (Tom) of Boulder, Colo.; and his stepchildren, Christopher Phoenix Dolezal of New York, N.Y., and Jill Mackavey (Rick Tagliaferri) of Ashland, Mass. 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, Mass., 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, in Wellesley, Mass, on Friday, Jan. 17, from 4 to 7 p.m. A funeral service will follow at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, in Weston, Mass., on Saturday, Jan. 18, at 11 a.m., followed by interment in Lakeview Cemetery, in 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 (for completing the soundproofing of the classroom in the Center House) or a charity of your choice in his memory.

The family also wishes to acknowledge Tina Earl of Lee, Mass., and the entire team of Berkshire Visiting Angels for their compassionate care and support.