Obituary of David Vincent Smalley

David Vincent Smalley, resident of Stamford, CT – formerly of Larchmont, NY and New York City – passed away November 8, 2024, at age 89.  Born March 27, 1935, to Ethel Sullivan and Vincent R. Smalley, Dave was raised in Larchmont and lived most of his life in Larchmont and New York City. He graduated from Mamaroneck High School (‘52), Hamilton College (’56), and Harvard Law School (JD ’59).

Dave was a devoted husband, father, brother and uncle. In addition to his family, his greatest passions in life were practicing law and sailing competitively. Dave spent his entire 40-year legal career at the law firm of Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in New York City. He spent the final four years of his career in the firm’s London office.

When he wasn’t working or helping to raise his family, Dave was almost certainly sailing. Dave raced competitively in many classes of boats, including the 110, 420, Finn, Interclub Dinghies (IC's), Shields and Etchells. As a boy, Dave learned to sail at the Larchmont Yacht Club, and he competed virtually year-round until he retired from sailing in his mid-70s. Dave and his good friend Garrison (Gary) Corwin were the 1966 national champions in the Shields class.  Dave also won the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound’s Frostbite championships 1973 and 1974, which were held in the aforementioned IC's.

Dave’s love for Larchmont Yacht Club was palpable. When he wasn’t competing, he was volunteering as a trustee, flag officer, and eventually commodore. He was a volunteer for race committee as well as an advocate for the frostbiting Interclub Dinghy fleet, the Etchells fleet and, most rewarding, the Larchmont’s junior sailing program. He was often in the parking lot helping young sailors unload Optimists for the annual LYC Junior Race Week Optimist Day held immediately after Junior Race Week, before joining the race committee for the day.

When he wasn’t sailing, Dave dabbled in other sports, playing soccer and lacrosse. He was well-rounded and loved the opera;for most of his adult life in  New York City, Dave was a season ticket holder at the Metropolitan Opera House. His favorite opera was Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle, which he gleefully attended more than twenty times. But above all, Dave was a gentleman. He was kind and generous. He loved a good joke and a fine meal. He was honest and ethical with firm moral character. He was wise and rarely judgmental. He was a wonderful role model for his two sons and his grandsons. 

Dave will be dearly missed. He is survived by his son, Brian (Susan), grandsons William and Nathan, his companion Cynthia Coulson, his brother William, and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. Dave was predeceased by his wife Patricia (Trix) Tolles, his son Gregory, his sister Susan Madden and his brother Richard.

The family will hold a memorial service event on Thursday, December 19th at 11am located at Larchmont Yacht Club, 1 Woodbine Avenue, Larchmont, NY 10538.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Patricia Tolles Smalley Scholarship,
Hamilton College, 198 College Hill Road, Clinton, NY 13323.
Or use this link: hamilton.edu/give/smalley