Frederick Stuart Davis

Frieda unfortunately died in childbirth, and his father was in mourning but eventually married Frieda’s best friend Edith Oxman two years later. In 1941 they gave birth to a daughter Susan. Growing up in the Winfield area of Philadelphia, Fred never knew that Edith was not his biological mother until he was told at age 16. He also did not know that he was growing up four blocks from his future wife, whom he would not meet until 1961, while he was attending Drexel College, where he was pursued a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Finance.

In the 1960s, the place for Philadelphians to go on summer weekends was Atlanta City. Young Fred was strolling along the boardwalk, date in arm, when he met a very beautiful, intelligent Jewish girl to whom he was instantly attracted, Etta Block. As Fred already had a date, he introduced Etta to a Jewish guy with an Italian-sounding last name that he knew her parents would never go for. Once they got rid of their respective dates, the two finally got to know each other, and were married within the year in Philadelphia’s Har Zion Synagogue in 1962. Etta’s father, Harry Block, had given all four of his daughters the choice of a lavish wedding or cash. After her three older sisters chose to take the cash, Etta decided to have the big wedding to let her parents enjoy the honor.

As a young man, Fred was known as a fast runner, a smart student, and someone who stuck his fingers in his ears when his parents spoke Yiddish. Young Fred also hated Pesach food, or the lack thereof, as Kosher for Pesach milk was usually not available. He was known to say, “I’d rather have two Yom Kippurs than one Pesach.

A dedicated Boy Scouts camp counselor at Treasure Island in the Delaware River, his neatness and organizational skills, either innate or learned from his accountant father, were vehicles that served him well in all of his endeavors throughout his life.

While he started college as an engineering major, he switched to Banking and Finance after he was informed that a Jew would not advance very far in Engineering in the early 1960s.

In 1963, Fred and Etta’s first child, Howard, or Chaim, was born. His sister Roberta was born in 1967.

Fred began his professional career working as a Financial Analyst for Philadelphia National Bank, then began working as Assistant Branch Manager for Perilstein Glass, which had been founded by his wife’s grandfather. After a few years, he realized that family issues should not carry over into the work space, and he left Perilstein to manage Ocean County Glass in Bricktown, NJ. It was during this time Fred would be a sling shot for his son Chaim, as they lived directly above the glass shop.

A devoted father, Fred created a lifestyle that included plenty of family time, including scouting and numerous mini-vacations throughout New Jersey including: historic sites, camping trips in the Pine Barrens, and “Beach Days,” as Etta would call them, to the Jersey Shore.

In 1974, Fred and Etta moved the family to the sunny south, Atlanta, Georgia, to allow Fred to assume the Regional Management for Somer & Maca glass equipment manufacturer. Fred enjoyed being an executive, especially travelling throughout the Southeast United States and Puerto Rico to motivate and mentor sales teams, where he made a gallant attempt to learn Spanish.

In the 1980s Fred managed an independent 3M reflective film distributorship, which, along with a lifetime of prudent investments, allowed him to retire at age 55. He remained a devoted husband to Etta, who passed away 18 years ago after a lengthy battle with breast cancer. After their daughter Roberta passed away 8 years ago from a brain aneurysm, Fred made sure to see the three grandchildren, Henry and Ettan in Missouri, and Yael in New Jersey, at least twice a year. An avid bridge player, Fred earned numerous Master Points in regional tournaments. One of the most consistent Shabbat participants at Congregation Etz Chaim for the past 25 years, Fred also served as it’s Gabbi.

Having grown up in a Reform Jewish household with two previously Orthodox parents, Fred would say, “Sometimes I think G-d created the world then left it up to us.” At other times he felt a more personal connection. He believed that the Jewish way of life was the most ethical and productive way to live.

Punctual, ethical, quiet, and self-reliant, Fred was a master of trivia. During the last couple of months, Fred became very intrigued by the number of Christian holiday songs written by Jews. A hand-written note on his bureau listed the top ten, including: White Christmas, Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer, and It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Fred had a lifetime of wisdom that he did not hesitate to share with his family including:

“I believe in neatness and originality.”

“Never let college interfere with your education.”

“Never drink and drive. Pull to the side when you want a drink.”

He and his wife were a strong team, and maintained a close relationship while respecting each other’s mishugos, his neatness and strict table etiquette, and her fear animals and heights.

Fred believed in measured living, such having children four years apart so parents could pay for college one at a time, living within your means, showing up on time, and being responsible for your actions.

Fred had standards and integrity, and lived the life he wanted to live.

A Graveside service will be held at 12 noon, Sunday, March 27, 2022 at Arlington Memorial Park in Sandy Springs, Georgia.