Richard M. "Dick" Davis

Richard M. "Dick" Davis
New London, NH, Holden, MA
Richard M. "Dick" Davis, 90, of New London, NH, and former long time resident of Holden, MA died peacefully on March 1st, with family by his side, while vacationing in Sarasota, FL. Dick was born in Worcester, the only son of Clarence J. Davis and Edna J. Davis, and attended South High. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy before he was eligible, gaining the permission of his parents and High School Principal. After his service, Dick attended Middlebury College in Vermont where he majored in Political Science, played varsity football and was a member of the Sigma Psi Epsilon fraternity. He first worked for the State Mutual Life Assurance Company in Worcester before joining the Paul Revere Companies, starting in their Group Insurance office. He worked for Paul Revere for 31 years, retiring as a Vice President. He married Gloria (Jones) Davis and settled in Holden where they lived for 45 years and raised two sons in the tight knit Powers Village neighborhood. Gloria predeceased him in 2000. Dick is survived by his wife, Kathleen (McCarthy) Davis of New London, NH, his sons, R. Jeffrey Davis and his wife Sharon of University Park, FL, and William J. Davis and his wife Dianne of Grafton. He also leaves his "favorite" grandson, Richard B. Davis of Holden, step son Donald J. Gerlach, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Trumbull, CT, step granddaughter Becky Lisowski, husband Matthew and step great grandson Syrus of Smithfield, RI, first cousin Andrew J. Reid of California and nephew Wilson P. Patteson of Virginia. Dick was a member of St. Francis Episcopal Church in Holden, the Morning Star Masonic Lodge in West Boylston, and a former member of Worcester Country Club where he enjoyed being bested by Gloria during every round of golf. He scored a hole-in-one on Worcester's eighth hole. He was active with his sons in Holden Little League, the YMCA Indian Guides and the Chaffins Recreation Assoc. He enjoyed camping with his extended family before buying a summer camp on Deering Lake in NH, where he would enjoy weekends and summer vacations for 33 years. He used his considerable carpentry, landscaping and handy man skills to continually improve the camp, but always found time for fishing, swimming, happy hour and cookouts with family and friends. After retirement he split time between Florida and New England, recently becoming a resident of New Hampshire. He spent his last 14years traveling and enjoying life to the fullest with Kathleen. Dick will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grand father, trusted and generous friend and colleague, for his "rapier-like" wit and sense of humor and for his convictions and strength of character. There are no calling hours and funeral services will be private. Donations in Dick's memory may be made to Tidewell Hospice in Sarasota, FL.