Davis, Arnold A., 92, May 12, 2013. Calling hours will be from 1 to 3 p.m. at the State Road Advent Christian Church, Mapleton on Saturday, May 18, followed by the funeral service at 3 p.m. A reception will follow at the church. Interment to be held in the Crouseville Cemetery. Arrangements by Duncan Graves Funeral Home.
PRESQUE ISLE – Arnold “Arnie” A. Davis died May 12, 2013, with his wife, Joyce, by his side at their apartment in Leisure Village in Presque Isle. He was born on January 12, 1921, in St. Stephen, NB, Canada, the son of Hamden and Sarah McDowell Davis of Calais, ME.
After his mother’s death in 1926, he lived at the Bangor Children’s Home in Bangor, and the Opportunity Farm for Boys in New Gloucester, ME. He later lived with families in Kenduskeag and East Corinth, ME, where he graduated from East Corinth Academy in 1940.
After one year at the University of Maine, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served during World War II for 3 1/2 years. He returned to the University of Maine and graduated with a B.A. degree in Agricultural Education in 1949. That same year, he married Joyce Spencer of Vermont. He spent the rest of his working life in the field of Agricultural Management retiring in 1996. He and his family moved to Washburn, ME, in 1951 where he lived until 2012.
At the University of Maine, he was a member of Phi Eta Kappa Fraternity, Senior Skulls, and the M Club. He was president of his university class for 27 years. He is a past Commander of the Corinth Post American Legion and served on the Washburn (SAD 45) School Board. In 1956, he was selected the Outstanding Young Farmer in Maine by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. For many years, he was a Sunday School teacher, Youth Leader, and Deacon of the State Road Advent Christian Church of Mapleton.
“Arnie” was well known as an enthusiastic fan and supporter of University of Maine athletics. He made innumerable trips from his home in Aroostook County to Orono to watch his beloved Black Bear teams. He never met a stranger and gave his “MY CARD” to thousands of unsuspecting recipients. The cards have become collectors’ items for many of those who received them. He was a founding member of the Wednesday lunch gathering of friends in Presque Isle known as ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out). As a long term promoter of Maine potatoes, he persuaded Alfond Arena management to serve baked Maine potatoes at UMaine hockey games and many times personally delivered boxes of potatoes to the arena.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce of 63 years; daughter, Susan D. George and husband, Richard of Tempe, AZ; son, Robert A. Davis and wife, Kathleen of Presque Isle; son, Stephen S. Davis and wife, Kristen of DeWitt, MI; grandchildren, Emily Kate Peers and husband, Dan of Presque Isle, ME Betsy Marie Randall and husband, Lem of Stamford, CT, Virginia Keaton Davis of Dayton, OH, Mitchell Worthen Davis and fiancé, Katelynn Hartt of Presque Isle, ME; and great-grandchildren, Charlie and Sadie Peers.
He was predeceased by brothers, Everett, Oliver, Henry, Roscoe, Roy, and Carl; and sister, Shirley.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 18, 2013, at the State Road Advent Christian Church in Mapleton, ME, with Reverend Greg Moody officiating. Calling hours will be from 1 p.m. until the time of the service. A reception will be held at the church immediately follow the service. Interment will be at Crouseville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the State Road Advent Christian Church designated for Youth Ministries at P.O. Box 551, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or to the Aroostook House of Comfort Hospice Foundation at P.O. Box 867, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com.
