Brian John Davis

COLUMBIA - Brian John Davis, 73, died Saturday, June 22, 2019 from complications of Alzheimer’s. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 28, 2019 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC, with a reception to follow. A graveside ceremony will be held at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Saco, ME., to be announced at a later date. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Brian was born at Mercy Hospital in Portland, ME. on July 15, 1945, the son of the late Marion Gertrude Timmins and John Joseph Davis. He graduated from Cheverus High School in 1963 and attended college at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia, Canada and later at the University of Maine in Portland. Brian met his future wife, Gail Frances Webb on a blind date on July 10, 1968 and on August 2, 2019 will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with a son, Jason Matthew Davis on November 28, 1975.

Brian grew up in Portland, ME. on Munjoy Hill and had many fond memories of playing near his home at the East End Beach with his brother Joe. They often organized neighborhood basketball games at “Davis Gardens” at his home on Congress St. Shortly after meeting Gail, Brian was drafted to serve his country as an infantry soldier with the First Air Cavalry in Vietnam. He served approximately 9 months when he suffered a ‘Million Dollar Wound’ on Christmas Eve 1968. He spent Christmas day in a hospital in clean, white sheets and pretty nurses…as prophesized in a dream a month earlier. Brian was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star with Valor. Brian was a good man. His family and home was his sanctuary. He was unassuming, never wanting to be the center of attention, never wanted to impose. Brian was a news-a-holic, an avid listener to conservative talk radio and loved to debate. He was intelligent and fair minded. He was fascinated by computers and new gadgets…always the first to buy the latest technology at top dollar, much to the amusement of family and friends. He was a crossword puzzle fanatic, often timing himself and writing the answers in ink. He loved Boston Sports…especially the Red Sox and Patriots. He even helped coach Jason’s youth baseball and football teams. Brian’s last day at home was the Sunday that the much beloved Tom Brady won his unprecedented 6th Super Bowl.

Brian worked at Union Mutual Life Insurance Company (UNUM) for 29 years before taking early retirement. Much to the surprise of family and friends, Brian and Gail started a new adventure and moved to Columbia, SC in 1999. Brian immediately went to work for Blue Cross Blue Shield as a Project Leader, retiring at the age of 69 in August 2014.

Although he rarely spoke of his love and feelings, he expressed both with actions instead of words with his wife, son, daughter-in-law, granddaughters, family and friends, his country and his God.

Brian is survived by his loving wife, Gail; son, Jason Matthew and his wife, Laurie Jordan; granddaughters, Ella Marie and Avery Grace of Indian Land, SC. Brian is also survived by his siblings: his brother, Robert Shane and his wife, Jeannie Treat of Grand Island, NY; brother, Lawrence Patrick and his wife, Linda Blaisdell of Portland, ME; sister, Marie Elizabeth Davis and her husband, Michael John Sweatt of Portland ME; eight nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and great-nephews. Surviving Davis cousins include Anne Davis Griffin, Barbara Flaherty Connelly, Steve Timmons and Johnny Timmons.

In addition to his parents, Brian was predeceased by his brother, Joseph Daniel Davis and sister-in-law, Jacquelyn McCurdy.

The family would like to express their gratitude to Daybreak Caregivers, Care Patrol, Brookdale of Columbia and Tidewater Hospice for their loving and caring environment for Brian’s last days. We will not be holding a wake, so in lieu of flowers please donate to your favorite charity.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.