Obituary of Richard E. Davis

 Richard “Dick” Eddy Davis, age 89, died on Friday, July 12, 2019, at The Maplewood, a nursing home and caring and loving community in Webster. 

      From his birth in Bolton, Vt., on July 31, 1929, to his death on Friday, Dick nourished people around him with devotion, faith and commitment. He was born in rural Vermont to Roy and Nancy (Conley) and was the second youngest of four children. Growing up in Vermont he worked on farms in order to attend the University of Vermont. He loved being athletic and played college and community baseball.  

     After graduating from college, he married his lifelong partner Shirley Jean Averill on Dec. 28, 1952, at the First Congregational Church in Richmond, Vt. Following their marriage, he served his country with the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas. He was honorably discharged as a first lieutenant. 

     Upon leaving the army for civilian life, the young couple lived briefly in New Jersey and finally settled down in Canandaigua where he raised his family and worked for Rochester Telephone Company as a manager until his retirement. 

     He was devoted to his faith and community with service to First Congregational Church as a deacon; Boy Scouts of America (Order of Arrow); Cooperative Extension as a representative and boards member; Rotary as a president; and with various other affiliations and committees. 

     From his roots in northern Vermont through his time in Canandaigua Dick had agricultural interests and was an avid gardener. 

     He was an avid hunter. In his early years he hunted with his father and brother and later with his children well into his late 80s.

     Dick became an avid golfer and played as a member of Canandaigua Country Club until 2018.

     He was predeceased by his first son, Howard; birth parents; wife’s parents, Wilbert and Helen Averill; and siblings, Raymond, Russell, Norma and Nancy. 

     Dick is survived by his loving wife of over 65 years, Shirley of Canandaigua; daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie and James D'Agostino of Ft. Myers, Fla.; son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Rita Davis of Spring, Texas; son, Craig Davis of Columbia Crossroads, Pa.; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

     A private service is being arranged at the convenience of the family. 

     The Davis family would like to extend their gratitude to all who cared for Dick and the staff at The Maplewood for their attentiveness and loving care. 

     In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.