Howard Earl Davis, Sr.

Howard Earl Davis, Sr., beloved husband, father and grandfather went to join the Lord he served so well for 86 years on April 1, 2010. "Howie" was a proud veteran of World War II, serving in the Navy in the North Atlantic. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island on August 12, 1923 and worked as a steelworker for over 30 years where he was respected by his peers and supervisors for his dedication, skill and work ethic. "Howie" was a man of great integrity whose priorities were God, family and country. He was a devoted Catholic and raised and educated his family in the faith. An accomplished softball player and golfer in his younger days, he spent his later years rooting for his beloved Fighting Irish and Boston Red Sox. It was a matter of great pride for Howie that three of his grandchildren graduated from Notre Dame.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Mary Elizabeth Davis, his sister, Dorothy Benson and his beloved first wife and mother of his children, Muriel "Babe" Davis.

Howie is survived by his wife, Alice, and his four children, Howard E. Davis, Jr. Ben and wife, Jan, of San Antonio; Donna Vanderbeck Jack of North Kingstown, R.I; John Francis Sophie of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas and Marlene White John of Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Howie's great joy and pride were his grandchildren Patrick Davis Heather, Cara Davis and Kelly Davis, of San Antonio, Texas, Cassie Dietz Jeff of Sudbury Mass., Matthew Vanderbeck of League City, Texas, Jack and Caitlyn Davis of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas and Mark, Christopher and Courtney White of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and more recently, his great grandchildren Rainey Morgan Davis of San Antonio and Andrew, Jack and Ryan Dietz of Sudbury, Mass.

The Davis family would like to extend its heartfelt appreciation to Dr. William Atlas and Dr. Rafael Santiago, Gabriela Villasenor and the incredible staff at VITAS Hospice. They taught us that there is a difference between care and caring.

A rosary service will be held at 7 pm on Monday, April 5, 2010 at Holy Spirit Church on Blanco Road and Ramsey Road with Fr. Carlos Velasquez presiding. Funeral Mass will be held on April 10, 2010 at Christ the King Church in Kingston, Rhode Island with interment to follow at St. Ann's Cemetery in Cranston, Rhode Island.

The "greatest generation" has lost one of its best.