Frederick J. Davis

Frederick James Davis, “Fred", age 86, of Marblehead, passed away on Thursday, September 8, 2016 in his home surrounded by his loved ones. He was the son of the late Frederick A. and Helen (Sweeney) Davis and spent his childhood in Roslindale and Centerville, MA.

Fred was a proud graduate of Roxbury Latin School, a place he formed lifelong friendships and credited with ‘changing his life’. He went on to attend Harvard College and Harvard Business School and began his career at State Street Bank as the Vice-President of Marketing where he spearheaded the campaign to put the bank’s name atop 225 Franklin Street. Following his early banking career, he surprised many by becoming the leader of the Boys Club of Boston, where he was among the first to realize that his corporate skills could greatly advance the goals of non-profit organizations. During his tenure at the Club, he created partnerships with many corporations including the New England (Boston) Patriots and led the evolution to becoming the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. He had a long and notable career in civic leadership, philanthropy, and marketing for causes that he deeply believed in. His energy, charisma, and strategic thinking left indelible marks on the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA), the Freedom Trail Foundation, and the Plummer Home of Salem where he held leadership positions. He served as a Trustee or Board Member of innumerable Boston organizations including Boston City Hospital, Advertising Club of Boston, Forest Hills Cemetery, Disabled Veterans, and others. He was quite proud of bringing the Boston Tea Party Ship to Boston and the statue of Red Auerbach to Faneuil Hall. Fred was always willing to share colorful stories of his efforts to bring the business, political, and philanthropic communities together to make things happen for the city of Boston.

Fred will be most remembered for his incredible warmth, charm, and disarming wit that he used unsparingly whether in jocular conversations or serious debate. Fred was a loving and caring husband to his wife, Phyllis, with whom he spent 56 years. He loved to tell tales of their time in Paris and how her beauty and grace captivated him their entire marriage. He was an encouraging and enthusiastic father, a playful grandfather and a deeply loyal friend. Fred enjoyed traveling with his family but also spending quiet time at home on the water in Marblehead. He was passionate about many things including giving eloquent speeches and grandiose toasts, but most of all conveyed his gratitude for his own life, his desire to help others aspire and achieve, and his overflowing pride of his family.

Fred is survived by his wife, Phyllis Roberts Davis; a son, Chris and daughter-in-law Robyn of Marblehead, and their children, Jaclyn and Chase; a son, Michael and daughter-in-law Evemarie of Marblehead, and their daughters, Lane and Clare; and a daughter, Mary Elizabeth and son-in-law Josh Carmody of Lynn, and their sons, Liam and Hunter.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Avenue, Marblehead on Monday, September 12 at 11AM. Visiting hours will be held at the Eustis and Cornell Funeral Home, 142 Elm Street, Marblehead on Sunday, September 11 from 3-6PM. Burial will be at the Forest Hills Cemetery in Boston on Saturday, September 17. Donations in Fred’s honor may be made to the Plummer Home for Boys, 37 Winter Island Rd, Salem, MA 01970.