×

Paul B. Davis

Paul Benjamin Davis of Heritage Village, Gerry, N.Y., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2020, while hospitalized in UPMC Hamot, Erie, Pa.

The eldest son of Benjamin and Helen (Merchant) Davis, born April 15, 1927, in Brooks Hospital, Dunkirk, N.Y.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy V. (Olson) Davis; two children: a son Steven L. Davis of Pittsfield, Pa., and a daughter, Kathleen (Davis) Martin of Frewsburg; two brothers: Edward Davis and Oliver Davis; two sisters: Norma Crimi and Shirley Huff; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy P. Davis, who passed away in 2002.

Mr. Davis grew up on his parents farm outside Fredonia and spent his first six years of school at a one room country school (Arkwright #8) about one mile east of his parents farm. He then went to Forestville Central School for junior high and completed a half year as a junior before completing his high school education at Fredonia High School in June of 1944. In November 1944 he enlisted in the U. S. Army Reserve College Program and assigned to active duty in May of 1945. His overseas assignment was at the U.S.F.E.T. Headquarters Frankfurt, Germany, as a clerk typist and discharged November 1946. He then enlisted in the U.S Air force Reserves. He attended the New York State Agricultural & Technical Institute at Alfred, N. Y., graduating in 1949, with a certificate in rural engineering. On Feb. 4, 1950, he married Dorothy V. Olson. During this time he was working for Hopes Windows where he held several jobs.

In December 1951 while working as a welder at the Ford Motor Co. stamping plant in Buffalo, N.Y., he was accepted into the electrical apprentice program. He completed this training while working at Marlin Rockwell Corp., Falconer, N.Y. He attended Jamestown Community College, graduating in June 1962 with an associates of applied science degree in engineering. After graduating, he accepted a position in the M.R.C. Research Engineering Department where he continued until transferred to their operations in Flowery Branch, Ga., in 1984. He provided a total 30 yrs. of service to M.R.C. and accepted early retirement when the company was sold to SKF Industries.

After retirement he accepted a position with a technical college in Georgia, providing industrial maintenance training. When he and his wife returned to Jamestown, N.Y. in 2003 he continued to provide industrial maintenance training on a per diem basis at JCC/MTI for several years.

He was an active member in the community being very involved in the community churches that he and his wife attended in both New York and Georgia. He assisted in many building projects that these churches were involved in, working both as electrician and carpenter. He taught Sunday school in these churches and if the need arose also filled in for a Sunday morning sermon. Since moving back to the Jamestown area he and his wife have attended the South Stockton Wayside Chapel. While living in the Sinclairville, N.Y., area raising his three children he became active in the local PTA at Cassadaga Valley School holding several offices, including District Director of the PTA’s in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. He was also active in the Jamestown Chapter of the ACLD serving one year as their president.

Always being busy, he liked working with his hands, building two of the homes he lived in as well as numerous remodeling jobs on his other homes. He also enjoyed building and flying RC model airplanes including some of his own designs.

The family will receive friends on a walk through basis on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 from 1-2 p.m., with face mask and social distancing required. Due to Covid-19 protocols the funeral service will be limited to immediate family and will follow with the Rev. David Diffenderfer and the Rev. Phillip Shay officiating. Burial will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery. There will be no graveside service.

Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at www. wounded warriorproject.org/donate or Alzheimer’s Association of Western New York, 6215 Sheridan Dr. Suite 100, Amherst, NY 14221-4837.

You may leave words of condolence to Paul’s family at www.lindfuneralhome. com.