Richard "Dick" Francis Davis

Richard "Dick" Francis Davis, Sr., 85 years old, passed away peacefully into his eternal life, with his loving family by his side on Veterans Day, November 11, 2017 in Sarasota, Florida. Dick was born on October 24, 1932 in Lowell, MA, and was happily married for 65 years to his high school sweetheart and best friend, Kathleen Toohey Davis. He was a devoted father to Linda Ann Remley, Longboat Key, FL, Kathleen Davis Bommer (Dan) of Reston, VA and Richard F. Davis, Jr (Debbie) of Evergreen, CO. He was a proud grandfather and was cherished by his grandchildren Tara Kathleen and Jason McClean of Sarasota, Win Remley, III, McKenna Kathleen Davis, Annalese Nicole Davis, Kent Francis Bommer and Grant P. Richard Bommer. Dick also leaves behind brothers-in-law Frank Stapanowich, Dan Toohey, Peter Toohey and sister-in-law Pat Toohey, and many loving nieces and nephews who were all life-long friends. Dick was pre-deceased by his parents Richard C. Davis and Helen Sullivan Davis and his three sisters Helen R. Jeffers (Fred), Mary A. Fagan (Bill), and Patricia Davis. Dick was educated by the Xaverian Brothers at Keith Academy in Lowell, MA. After graduation in 1950, Dick was apprenticed as an electrician by the Boston & Maine Railroad. From 1952-1960, Dick served his country in the United States Navy on active duty during the Korean War and in the Naval Reserve. He was an electrician's mate on the minesweepers the USS Goldfinch MS 12 and the USS Nightingale MSC (0) (50). After receiving an honorable discharge from the Navy, Dick continued his education at Lowell Tech (UMass Lowell) and Northeastern University while again employed by the Boston and Maine Railroad. Dick was recruited as an electronics engineer and was involved in the electronic data storage industry (Tape, CD, DVD and Blu-ray) since its beginning. He consulted over 54 years for major data storage companies including Sony, Honeywell, Thorn EMI, Bell and Howell, AVCO, Ampex, Raytheon, Univac and Remington Rand. He sat on several International Standards Committees (ISO, ANSI and THIC) writing protocols for the electronics industry and was published in NASA journals on information storage. He sat on the IEEE board of directors and is acknowledged in "Parallel Computer Routing and Communication" by the Georgia Institute of Technology. His expertise included mass data storage used in submarine anti-warfare endeavors while working with the intelligence community. His career spanned communications technology from the early days of vacuum tubes through infrared technology. A dedicated Catholic, Dick freely shared his faith and love of God. Some of his happiest hours were spent following his beloved Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots. He realized his lifelong dream of attending two Red Sox World Series Championship wins; in 2004, sitting at Pesky's Pole at Fenway Park and in 2007 at Coors Field. His family affectionately refers to him as "Our Big Papi". He was a great story-teller, an avid golfer, enjoyed movies, music, and dance. He had a high work ethic and enjoyed working and traveling throughout his career, especially, with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts at Sony until his retirement in 2004. Dick was a 20 year member of the Incarnation Men's Club and served as treasurer & on committees for the IMC annual golf fundraiser. He was a proud 4th degree member of the Knights of Columbus #0167. Dick really enjoyed cooking and serving at the baseball concessions, fish fry's and at the annual Thanksgiving dinner serving and delivering meals to hundreds of Sarasota residents. Dick is a lifetime member of BPOE, Lowell Lodge of Elks #87 and has served on the Board of Directors for the Navy League in Sarasota. He was also a volunteer at the polls for the board of elections in Sarasota for many years. One of his greatest pleasures, were the many trips he made to Bay Pines Veterans Hospital to visit inpatient veterans. He found great serenity in his spiritual fellowship, first in Manassas, VA for 11 years and in Sarasota for the last 25 years. We take comfort in knowing that he is resting in the loving arms of Jesus, his very best friend, surrounded by his family and many friends who welcomed him into heaven. Visitation will be held Sunday, 11/19/17 from 4-7pm at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236. His funeral mass will be held Monday, 11/20/17 at 9:15am at Church of the Incarnation, 2929 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34239; followed by a celebratory luncheon at 11:00am-12:30pm at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 4880 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34232; please continue with us for his military funeral honors at 1:30-2pm at the Pavillion at the Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241.

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Richard "Dick" Francis Davis

October 24, 1932 - November 11, 2017