Thomas James Danis

DANIS, Thomas James, of Dayton Ohio and Naples Florida, died peacefully on June 10th 2017 surrounded by loving family and friends. Tom was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who was active in the Dayton community throughout his life, both as a business leader and philanthropist. Born in Dayton on September 28th 1949, the second son of Benjamin and Helen Danis, he knew from an early age that he wanted to run the BG Danis Construction Company, which was started by his grandfather in 1916. Upon graduation from the University of Michigan MBA program, he fulfilled that dream and ran Danis Construction until 2004. Tom loved the city of Dayton and contributed to both it’s skyline (including 2 Riverplace and the Premier Health Center Building) and it’s urban economic development. Tom also dedicated much of his time to various philanthropic positions, serving on the boards of the University of Dayton, Chaminade-Julienne High School, and of the Dayton Foundation. He was a tireless advocate and fundraiser for a variety of Dayton initiatives, most recently helping to create the downtown Dayton Schuster Center for the Arts. In 2015, Tom married his loving wife Georgia and they started an all too brief but wonderful life together. He loved his official job later in life of being “papa” to his grandchildren and could often be seen on the soccer fields of Dayton watching them play. As friends and family know, Tom was never fond of Ohio winters and eventually made his home in Naples, Florida, a city he loved second only to Dayton. He is survived by his loving and dedicated wife Georgia Danis of Dayton; 3 children, Thomas James Danis Jr of Los Angeles CA, Robyn Elizabeth Bittner (Michael) of Dayton, Jeannine Marie Danis (Sky) of Dayton. 3 Step-children; Amy Elizabeth Haverstick (Benjamin) of Richmond VA, Weston Alexander Smith of Atlanta GA, and Gregory Owen Smith (Mary Evelyn) of Columbus. 5 Grandchildren: Maya, Noah, Nathan, Lucy Bittner and Helena Danis-Ruef. 5 step grandchildren: Charles and Camilla Haverstick, Carolyn Smith, and Simeon and Frances Smith. Tom is also survived by 6 siblings: Benjamin George Danis III (Jerry Prosio) of Seattle WA, Donna Danis of Dayton, Christopher Danis (Debbie) of Dayton, Peter Danis (Laurie) of Columbus, Maryanna Klatt (Bill) of Columbus, and Susie Grossman (Rob) of Dayton. Mass of Christian Burial 12:00 p.m. Thursday, June 15, 2017 at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 3033 Far Hills Ave., Kettering, Ohio 45429. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to any Dayton based charity. Condolences may be sent to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com