Wagih G. Dafashy, 78, died Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, in Williamsburg. He was the son of Gadallah Dafashy and Susanna Botros of Cairo, Egypt.
Born on June 4, 1939, in the small village of Dafash, he received his education at Eins Shams University and the American University in Cairo, Egypt.
He was employed as a chief auditor for the Egyptian government before leaving for America in 1960 to pursue further education in business administration and to find his American dream. He received his advanced degrees at the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.
Faced with several career choices, he chose an associate professorship in a small town that struck him by its quaint beauty, Williamsburg, Va. Under the leadership of Charles Quittmeyer, Wagih was one of the founding cornerstones of William and Mary’s School of Business. He quickly rose to the rank of tenured professor. His career at William & Mary spanned 53 years. He was a renowned orator inside and out of the classroom. His teaching style was legendary and his classes were frequently standing room only. He was passionate, not only about his profession, but about every aspect of his life.
A deeply spiritual man, he was a member of Bruton Parish Church for 42 years. He was a modern Renaissance man, able to reconstruct a car engine from individual parts and produce museum-quality photography from his home dark room. Despite his professional success and many awards, accolades, and achievements, what defined his life most of all was his humility, creativity, selflessness, philanthropy and eternal gratitude for all that life offered.
He celebrated life daily, especially the small things. Above all, he was a devoted family man who loved his wife, children and grandchildren boundlessly and intensely. He strived to be everything to everyone all the time. He will be dearly missed, but more importantly, celebrated for having left the world a better place than he found it.
Wagih was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Wagiha.
He is survived by Sally, his wife of 50 years; sons, David, and his wife, Mariangela, and John, and his wife, Jessica; and three grandchildren, Aaron, Nathaniel and Elizabeth; sister, Wadia; brother, Kamel; and many nieces and nephews.
Expressions of sympathy may be made in the form of donations to the Peninsula Rescue Mission, 3700 Huntington Ave., Newport News, VA 23607; FISH, Messmer Historic Triangle Community Services Center, 312 Waller Mill Road, #800, Williamsburg, VA 23185; or a charity of your choice.
The family will be receiving visitors from 6 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7, at the Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Road, Williamsburg. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 8, at Bruton Parish Church, 331 Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg, with a reception following.
Share online condolences with the family at nelsenwilliamsburg.com.
