October 25, 1944 – January 8, 2023
David Eaton LeFevre, International Sports Business Attorney, Dies at 78.
David Eaton LeFevre, a New York City resident for over 30 years, and Greenwich, CT resident of eight years, died peacefully on January 8 in Danbury, CT after a long illness. The pinnacle of David’s numerous accomplishments was arranging the financing for the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL franchise. David also skillfully negotiated the financing for the Ice Palace arena, securing funding from the City, County and State to supplement the Owners funds. This massive project ultimately led to growth and development of the Tampa Bay surrounding areas. Once established, David was Governor of the Tampa Bay Lightning, which would not be in existence without his vision and steadfast work. The concept of a new professional hockey team in the Sunshine State seemed ridiculous to some, yet the Lightning would go on to win three Stanley Cup Championships and today is one of the NHL’s most dominant teams.
David was the son of Mary Eaton LeFevre and Fay A. LeFevre, MD, the first chairman of the Board of Governors of the Cleveland Clinic. He is survived by his older brother Robert LeFevre, MD, and nephews William and David LeFevre. David grew up in Cleveland, Ohio where he attended Hawken School and Western Reserve Academy in Hudson, Ohio. He is the grandson of the industrialist and peace advocate Cyrus Eaton. His grandfather was a great inspiration to David, fostering principles of listening, effective negotiations, and peace. These skills served him well in business. David became a master at listening in calm and perceptive ways that made him a great negotiator in situations where others might lose their cool.
David attended Yale University, and then entered the Peace Corp for two years in Uruguay. He wrote that his time in the Peace Corp was a wake-up call about the world. David accompanied Cyrus Eaton on several trips to Cuba, serving as interpreter during meetings with Fidel Castro. He went on to receive a law degree from University of Michigan, with emphasis on International Law. He then joined the prestigious NY law firm Reid & Priest, where he was a partner and worked for 22 years. His work with the firm led to travel and financing projects worldwide. However, sports, business, and the world beyond our borders drew his interest. David was known as a brilliant man, full of energy, with a unique ability to navigate the maze of conflicting human interests to get complex projects done. He had a sharp sense of humor and wit which brought levity to many situations and joy to those who knew him.
David had a lifelong love of baseball which led to developing the relationship between American and Japanese baseball teams. He also had broad legal and financial involvement in professional sports transactions, including ownership in two MLB teams (Houston Astros and Cleveland Indians). He recognized the inequities in the major league baseball system and worked to strengthen the opportunities and ties between Cuban players and MLB, traveling to Cuba with his close friend Tal Smith and Houston Astros players in the 1970s.
David’s love of the outdoors and sports was nurtured at his grandfather’s rustic summer home in Deep Cove on the rugged coast of Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia. Childhood summers at Deep Cove, along with his brother and 11 cousins, exposed David to world leaders who were hosted for business and peace talks with his grandfather. David would frequently return to Nova Scotia to rejuvenate and play rounds on his favorite golf courses, which he considered some of the best in the world.
An avid sportsman, he was a great golfer, tennis player, and runner.
The world lost a great man. He was a thoughtful, kind, intelligent human being.
The family requests donations in David’s honor be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and to animal rescue or pet therapy organizations. David loved dogs throughout his life and they brought him joy up until his last days.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring at The Yale Club of New York City. For future details please register for notifications on legacy.com memorials page.
