Robert Eldred Davis
It is with sadness that the family of Robert Eldred Davis, age 69, of Surrey, B.C. announce his passing on Friday, September 9, 2011. Born in Northport, N.S., he was the son of the late Russell and Dorothy (Robinson) Davis of Tidnish, N.S.
In his early years, Bob attended Mount Allison University, Sackville, N.B., graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Bob was a dedicated teacher, beginning his teaching career in Tatamagouche from 1963 to 1965. Following a one year teaching term at Springhill Vocation School, he enrolled with the University of New Brunswick where he graduated with a Bachelor of Education. He headed to Vancouver where he taught for a brief period of time in Burnaby Junior High School. In 1968, he once again returned to his home province to teach in Truro, remaining there until 1977 when he took a leave of absence to attend Acadia University in Wolfville. He continued his teaching career throughout various areas of Nova Scotia.
Caring, dedicated, considerate, and thoughtful, Bob took joy from the simple things in life. An early morning walk along the shore, observing the birds, planting Christmas trees, picking a cup of wild strawberries, all done with quiet pleasure and relished moments of solitude. Bob was a well rounded athlete who loved sports. Whether it be a game of touch football or baseball with his siblings, a round of golf or early morning tennis on the family’s clay court; Bob would be there organizing a yard full of brothers, sisters, and neighbouring kids, encouraging the timid, coaching the unfamiliar, all the while giving a running commentary of every play. Bob’s most notable success was in tennis. He quickly progressed from the clay court to the Nova Scotia provincial championships, and won his way to qualifying for the Rothman’s Atlantic open tennis draw in 1974. He continued his lifetime passion for tennis, reluctantly hanging up his racket for the last time in July 2011.
His life took a dramatic change in 1983, when he met Constanza Garcia, the girl he’d been waiting for, while vacationing in Bogota, South America. They happily married and returned to Nova Scotia where shortly thereafter, daughters Adrienne and Natalie were born. In 1987, on a quest for work and a warmer climate, he moved his family to Surrey, B.C., where Bob held an administrative position with a facility for mentally and physically challenged adults and children until his retirement in 2008.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Constanza Davis (nee Garcia), daughters, Natalie and Adrienne, all of Surrey, B.C., four sisters, Sylvia (Bill Fairbanks), Amherst, Dianne (Larry Brown) Lower Cove, Ann, Amherst, Joan (Kent Leslie) Amherst, and brothers, Stanley (Joan) Amherst, George (Frances) Tidnish, John (Cynthia) Tidnish, Christopher (Lynn) Beecham Rd, Malcolm (Monette) Barachois, N.B., Andrew (Dale) Brookdale.
Following cremation, a memorial service will be held in the Fraser Heights Chapel in Surrey, B.C. on Friday, September 16, 2011 at 2 p.m. A time of remembrance will take place locally at a later date.