David Ellsworth Davis

He leaves behind a wonderful, and devoted companion of 25 years, Barbara Newsome, and a great legacy including his daughters, Mariann Davis Collins, and Karen Davis Macdonald, son-in-law Robert Macdonald, grandchildren Sarah Klaner and husband Tyler, Matthew Barnes and family, Nicholas Macdonald and wife Gretchen, Christina Macdonald, Michael “David” Macdonald, plus four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother Marian Toggeson Davis, father Jed Davis, and brother Guy Clifford Davis.

David was born in Boston, MA and grew up in Plaistow, NH, and spent most of his adult life residing in Santa Cruz, CA enjoying a beautiful life with Barbara, and making incredible memories with family. As a World War II Navy Veteran, he was the recipient of the Purple Heart and two Battle Stars for his contribution in the Battles of Anzio and Salerno. His job in the Navy was a fireman aboard the USS Symbol, a minesweeper that was bombed during the Battle of Anzio. David spent a year in an Italian hospital for his injuries sustained during battle, and received an honorable discharge.

After the war, David attended University of New Hampshire, and later established the David E. Davis Scholarship for a third generation New Hampshire student. Later, he moved to CA and was a member of the US Border Patrol, then worked his way from a Security Guard at IBM to Human Resources. He retired after 25 years from IBM and went into Real Estate in CA.

He is best remembered for his incredible zest for living life to the fullest and his love of nature and the outdoors. David was the most generous Philanthropist and dedicated to being involved in his community. His many contributions and volunteering for several non-profits, our veterans, his alma mater, the Santa Cruz Symphony, women’s shelters, children’s organizations, the Santa Cruz Foundation, and more are but a mere part of his kind-hearted, generous creed of providing time, talent, and treasure to benefit others.

His family is forever grateful to his long time, soul mate, Barbara Newsome for enriching his life with love, and sharing in his passion for travel, a healthy lifestyle, the outdoors, and especially for providing his favorite beautiful garden surrounding their home. David’s love of music was highlighted by his years playing the ukulele in the Santa Cruz ukulele group, “Sons of the Beaches”, and the banjo in his early years. As a great sports enthusiast, David enjoyed many activities from snow skiing to lawn bowling, and spent a great deal of time at his favorite Lake Tahoe and Park City resorts. He has left a void that can never be filled, but a lesson to all on the important aspects of how to live a gracious, giving, and life of gratitude. He was so loved and never to be forgotten.

David will be cremated and his ashes spread by family members at his favorite places; Plaistow, NH, Santa Cruz, CA, Lake Tahoe, CA, and Park City, UT.

Private, “Celebrations of Life” will be held by individual family members in various locations.

A fitting quote in memory of a true gentleman: In the words of John Muir, “Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature's darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but nature's sources never fail.”

We love you Dad!