Richard “Dick” L. Davis, 84, passed away peacefully July 18, 2017 at his home on Pleasant Valley Road in Morrisville.
He was born on January 7, 1933 in Syracuse, to Raymond E. and Priscilla S. March Davis. Dick graduated from MECS in 1951. Due to his father’s sudden death, his career plans were changed. He helped his mother and family by successfully operating the Davis Homestead Dairy Farm which has been in the family since 1898. Later in life, he drove school bus for MECS for 11 years and then substituted for 12 years after his retirement. He enjoyed sports runs so he could watch his grandchildren and their friends participate while he cheered them on! Dick received the Employee of the Year Award from MECS (1997-1998).
Dick had 20 years of outstanding service including as the chairperson for ASCS for the farmers of Madison County. He served 37 years on the Smithfield Fire Department. He was also an assessor and the Chairperson for the Zoning Board in the Town of Smithfield. As a member of many committees for MECS, he contributed creative ideas, especially on the planning advisory committee for the new high school.
Dick enjoyed participating in sports, especially bowling, golf, hunting and running the chains for football games. He also enjoyed driving bus for field hockey sectionals, telling “stories”, playing cards with friends and neighbors, and especially spending those moments with family and friends. If anyone needed anything, Dick was always there!
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Esther Clark Davis; five children: Debra (Bob) Curtis, Elaine (Joe) McFeeley, Jeffrey (Carol Jones) Davis, Pat (Ed) Mennig, Theresa (Todd Szewczyk) Davis, and daughter-in-law, Donna Davis; grandchildren, Shauna (Dave) Janczuk, Corey (April) Curtis, Dan Davis, Richie Roberts, Kenny (Julie) Mennig, Becca and Megan Mennig, Shawn Curtis, Willy and Miranda McFeeley; great-grandchildren: Dylan and Taylor Janczuk. He was predeceased by his parents, a grandson, Bradley Antwine, and his brothers, Raymond (Butch) E. Davis and Douglas W. Davis.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Friday, July 21, 2017 at St. Joan of Arc Church, Brookside Drive, Morrisville, followed by interment in Morrisville Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call at the Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 31 Cedar St., Morrisville on Thursday from 4-7pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Smithfield Fire Department, PO Box 115., Peterboro, NY 13134; or to the MECS Sports Boosters, PO Box 990, Morrisville, NY 13408