Marsaine "Devo" Arthur Davis

Marsaine (Devo) Arthur Davis, born on June 9, 1938, was the son of Edwin Arthur and Lillett Davis (née Grant). He grew up in the parish of St. Mary, Jamaica, West Indies, and attended elementary schools at Richmond Road, Zion Hill in St. Mary, and Hamwalk in St. Catherine, laying a strong foundation for his future. He continued to thrive in middle school at Half Way Tree and St. Martin’s High in St. Andrew, unlocking his full potential.

Marsaine began his career as a temporary clerk in the Department of Education before being appointed to the Jamaica Civil Service in 1957 as an Assistant Clerk in the Resident Magistrates Courts Department, assigned to the parish of Portland. During his tenure in Portland, he served as the Deputy Clerk of the Courts. He was later appointed by the Electoral Office as Returning Officer for Eastern Portland, becoming the youngest person in the island to hold that position at the time. While working at the court's office in Port Antonio, he met Althea Grant, and the two were later united in marriage in 1960. It was also there that he earned the nickname “Devo,” a name that stayed with him throughout his life. He and his family migrated to Canada in 1965, where he worked with the Ontario Hog Producers Association while attending York University in Toronto. In 1970, he relocated to New York, completed his degree at City University of New York (CUNY), Brooklyn College, and began working at New York University (NYU). He pursued graduate studies and took leave to read for the English Bar at Gray’s Inn, intending to return to Jamaica, but decided to remain at NYU, serving as Marketing Manager and Assistant Director of the University Press.

In 1983, Marsaine transitioned into the financial services industry, becoming a Field Underwriter and Registered Representative for Mutual of New York (MONY). In 1989, he relocated to the Washington, D.C. area and became a partner in the insurance agency of Harrison & Davis. It was during this time that he affectionately gained another nickname, “Art” or “Arturo,” from his Hispanic friends. After the partnership was dissolved, he continued his career as a solo practitioner, establishing Art Davis & Associates and building a loyal clientele, many of whom he proudly called friends.

Marsaine – known to many as Devo, Art, or Arturo – will be remembered for his unwavering love and compassion, his natural charisma that brightened any room, and his role as a pillar of strength within his family. Whether offering advice, sharing stories of his days in Jamaica, or simply showing up when someone needed him the most, he embodied a certain dignity that left an indelible mark on those who knew him. He had a deep passion for cooking, especially Jamaican cuisine, which is a cherished part of his identity. He was also an avid reader, often found immersed in books and newspapers. Marsaine listened deeply, gave thoughtful advice that made others feel seen and heard.

Devo’s memory will be cherished by his beloved wife of 64 years, Althea Davis; his two daughters, Marcelene Wesley and Stephanie Davis Ali; his four grandsons, Phillip Wesley, Matthew Wesley, Isaiah Ali and Nathanael Ali; his brothers Milton Davis, Errol Davis, Thaddeus Davis and Alva Young; and his sisters Monica Forbes, Valrie Davis, Jasmine Davis, Beverly Reid, Opal Branche, Sharon Prince, and Carol Morrissey along with a wide circle of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, friends, colleagues, and clients.

He is now reunited with those who went before him: his parents, Edwin Arthur and Lillett Davis; his sisters, Pansie Porteous and Phyllis (Joyce) Morrison, and his brother, Hugh Davis. A life of love and service to others, Marsaine will be truly missed.