Robert J. Davis
DOVER- Robert James Davis, 76, died suddenly of a heart attack at his home on January 12. Born in Utica, NY, on August 31, 1946, to Helen (Hlavenka) Davis and James Lewis Davis, Bob grew up in West Winfield, NY, graduated from West Winfield Central High School in 1965, and attended Utica College in 1966.
In 1967, Bob was drafted into the Army where he spent two years of active duty, including a year with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. After his service, Bob moved to Wilmington and began working at a friend’s ski lodge in the Mount Snow area. The following seasons Bob and a valley friend, Geoff Gloeckner, briefly ran The Drifts, a bar/restaurant. In 1970, Bob started his own construction company, Town Farm Homes, and built numerous houses in the Mount Snow valley.
Bob married Linda (Rye) Davis in 1978, and in 1980 he and his family moved to West Winfield, NY, where he worked as a salesman for the Harvestore Silo Company. Together, Bob and Rye ran a small take-out restaurant called the Davis Dairy Station. In 1984, Bob and his family returned to Wilmington. Upon earning his real estate license Bob worked for Kenyon Realty until his retirement. Bob loved people and had a way of instantly making a connection with everyone he met. That, and his knack for being a natural tour guide, made him a gifted salesperson.
Bob made many friends over the years and never let a good friendship slip away, always making a point of staying in touch, either by phone or in person. Lunch or dinner with Bob was an invitation he often generously extended. He loved good food and he loved his cars-from his 1960 baby- blue Impala convertible and dazzling white 1964 GTO, to his most recent BMW. Driving good cars was his passion.
Bob was preceded in death by his mother and father; his sister, Karen Stanhope; and his son, Zachery Davis. He is survived by his son, Michael Davis (Andrea), of Vernon; his niece, Elizabeth Stanhope Turro (Steve), of Jacksonville; his brother-in-law Noel Stanhope; special cousins Joanne Martin (Terry) and Steve Davis, all of W. Winfield, NY; and his former wife and friend, Rye Davis, of Brattleboro.
Memorials may be sent in care of Covey Allen & Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 215, Wilmington, VT 05363, to be used at the family’s discretion. To send the family personal condolences visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
A casual gathering of remembrance will be held at the Covey Allen Shea Funeral Home, 44 East Main Street, in Wilmington on Sunday, January 29, at 1 pm.
