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In Memoriam: George S. Kairalla, Owner of Datura Auto Sales and Rentals and Founding Member of the South Florida Auto Rental Association

Kairalla, who passed July 1 while vacationing with family, was a founding member and past and current president of the South Florida Auto Rental Association, as well as owner and president of Datura Auto Sales and Rentals, where he worked for more than 50 years.

by Staff
July 6, 2012
2 min to read


George S. Kairalla, age 68, passed away unexpectedly on July 1, 2012, while on vacation with his family and friends in the Bahamas doing what he loved: boating and diving. He was born in West Palm Beach, Fla., where he resided his entire life.

Kairalla was the owner and president of Datura Auto Sales and Rentals where he worked for more than five decades. He was a founding member and the past and current president of the South Florida Auto Rental Association.

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Kairalla is survived by his best friend and devoted wife of 43 years, Lynne; and their three children, Suzanne and her husband, David Ghirardini, David Kairalla and Brian Kairalla. He was also "Ampa" to three beautiful grandchildren, Carlisle, Cate and Caroline Ghirardini; and the loving owner and friend to his dog, Oliver. Kairalla also leaves behind his mother, Mireille Cowan Kairalla; one sister, Patricia Kairalla Knowles and husband, Frank; and five brothers, Charles and wife Pie, Phillip and wife Jamie, Andrew and wife Susan, Samuel and wife Dolly, and Michael and wife Katherine; a sister-in-law, Susan Stoddard; as well as his aunt, Grace Covert; and his uncle, Robert Kairalla and his wife, Marilyn.

He is predeceased by his father, George E. Kairalla, and his brother, Ronald E. Kairalla (Carol Fedele). There is also an abundance of nieces, nephews, cousins, great nieces, great nephews and cherished friends, as well as the loyal employees of Datura Auto that will miss him very much. He was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, friend and hero to the many whose lives he touched.

Services

  • The family will be receiving friends during visitation on Sunday, July 8, 2012 from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Home 1201 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401. 

  • A remembrance Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, July 9, 2012 at St. Ann Catholic Church in downtown West Palm Beach, with the interment to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

To express condolences and/or make donations, visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries. 

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