Obituary

Peter W. Davis

Tue, 06/28/2016 - 12:00pm

Peter Wayne Davis, 74, died unexpectedly June 23, 2016, at his home in Boothbay, Maine.

He was born on January 25, 1942, in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the son of Leighton and Helen (Adams) Davis.

In his younger years, Peter worked in local Boothbay Harbor restaurants and businesses, including the Outlook Inn where he met actress Shirley Jones and actor Gordon MacRae from the movie “Carousel.” Peter started his teaching career in Cumberland, Maine as a fifth grade teacher. He continued for 35 years when he later retired in South Florida.

On June 4, 1960, Peter started his enrollment in the United States Air Force as an administration clerk. He retired four years later as an Airman 4th Class. As stated by one of his first department heads, his “comprehension and military bearing far surpasses any airman of comparable age and experience that I had ever known.”

While stationed in Anchorage, Alaska with the Air Force, Peter started pursuing his college career at a local college. Following his enlistment, he continued his education at the University of Maine. Throughout his studies, Peter was always working to support himself, and later a family. Peter was what you would refer to as a lifetime educator. He was never complete when it came to educating himself. He went on to pursue and complete his master’s degree in education.

Boothbay residents knew when Peter and Claire had arrived for the summer by driving past their house and seeing the vast amount of color, potted plants and pristine garden highlights. When he wasn’t gardening, you would typically find him going for a “short” 10-mile walk or bike ride. However, at the top of his list, he was always thinking and doing for his family — especially his three grandchildren — even more so than sneaking chocolate or scoops of ice cream. Peter volunteered at the Maine State Aquarium and the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in his spare time.

Peter met his wife, Clair, of 49 years, in Boothbay Harbor. They eventually moved their family to South Florida where they both continued their teaching careers.

Peter is survived by his wife, Claire C. Davis, of Coral Springs, Florida; his daughter, Michelle Davis of Cumming, Georgia; his son, Shane Davis and his wife, Jaimie, of Boca Raton, Florida; his three grandchildren, Kayla Deak of Cumming, Georgia, and Matthew and Ryan Davis of Boca Raton, Florida. He is also survived by his siblings, Donna Closson, Leigh Davis and his wife, Pamela, Bonnie Lewis and her husband, Craig, Tom Davis and his wife, Angel, all of the Boothbay region, and Linda Storey and her husband Robert of Cumberland, Maine.

He was predeceased by his parents, Leighton and Helen Davis.

A memorial service is to be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at 2 p.m. at the Boothbay Fire House. All are welcome.

Donations may be made in memory of Peter Davis to: The American Heart Association, P. O. Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241 or call 1-800-242-8721, or to “Special Olympics Georgia”, 4000 Dekalb Technology Parkway, Ste. 400, Building 400, Atlanta, GA 30340 or call 1-770-414-9390, Ext. 101.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle for Peter, or to share a story or pictures, visit his Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.