Obituary
Delbert “Del “ D. Davis, 84, of Venice, Florida passed peacefully into eternity with his Heavenly Father, Thursday, February 8, 2024.
Del was born on March 30, 1939 in a schoolhouse in Etna, Maine to Lilly Hudson and Daniel Denman Davis.
He was fostered and raised from a young boy on Smith’s Farm in Newburgh, Maine until he left and enlisted in the Army on September 11, 1957.
After he was honorably discharged from Korea, he moved to Connecticut where he met his beautiful wife of 56 years, Anita, while roller skating.
They fostered many children and had their own two boys, before adopting a daughter.
As a self-described “old farm boy,” those roots were evident in CT as he hand dug a pond for his pet Canadian Geese, Honkie & Peeper, raised rabbits and was always tinkering on small engines or something in his garage.
They moved back up to Hampden, Maine in 1986 and he happily built his own barn and had small farm, “Willow Pond Farm,” with horses, goats, ducks, a turkey, and fish in the pond.
Every haying season he would be found in many fields around town and up until last year, he would talk about that time in Maine being “the best time in his life..” a time when he “had everything.”
He would make maple syrup and apple cider every year, (giving most of it away) and even rigged the hand cranked cider press to be motorized. He was always very industrious and was considered a small (and large) engine genius!
His own side business, “Del’s lawn and garden repair” was launched while working full time as a Supervisor at Currier Trucking where he was a mechanic.
He was a hard worker, often with 2 jobs caring for the family, and was known to help anyone in need.
He continued to work up until he was over 80 years old tending others lawns.
He leaves behind his 3 children, Jim Davis and his wife Denise of Bucksport, Maine, Wayne Davis and their daughter, Nancy Hamm,“ Angel “ (what he wanted to name her) and her husband Michael of Venice, Florida.
He also leaves his sister, Effie, 94, and 8 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and
many special in-laws, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He was a father figure to many and will be dearly missed.
He is most remembered for his quick wit, and strong work ethic, even ready to go help fill gallon water jugs with his daughter up until just days before he was hospitalized with only 10% kidney function due to a blockage from kidney stones.
A service with Military honors will be at Sarasota National Cemetery on March 19 at 2 pm. A Celebration of life will follow at Maxine Barrett Park
1800 Harbor Dr S, Venice, FL from 4pm to just before sunset, which will then follow steps down to the beach at Sharkys and Venice Pier.
I’m thinkn this is prob one of maybe 3 pics I have of Uncle Del and I.
❤️ Dad ❤️