Shrewsbury – Gerald A. “Gary” Davis, 70, of Shrewsbury, passed away peacefully at his home on April 3, 2021.
He is survived by his loving wife, Norma Jean (Pleimann) Davis; their three children, Matthew and his wife Sarrah, Kevin and his wife Allison, and Jeanette and her husband John; and his nine adoring grandchildren, Gwen, Chelsea, Nolan, Layla, Samuel, and baby boy in July 2021, Madison, MacKenzie, and Tinsley. His family was his happiness in life, and his pride in his children and grandchildren was evident to anyone who knew him. Gary is also survived by his mother, Mary Jane Davis, and his brother, Rick and his wife Cathy, all of Defiance, Ohio. He was preceded in death by his father, Wilfred S. Davis. His in-laws had a special love for him as did all his nieces and nephews.
Gary loved telling stories about his high school life. He was a shining star on the basketball court, ran cross country, caddied at the country club and hung out with his friends. He has remained friends with them throughout his life.
After graduating from college, Gary worked at Touche Ross Accounting firm in Dayton, Ohio. He then moved on to become vice president at Hillenbrand in Indiana, then onto VP at American Tourister in Rhode Island, Best Products in Richmond, Va., and then Thom McAn shoes in Worcester.
Gary decided that he wanted more than the corporate life, so he and his wife started their own company, Computertots. He loved doing this as he was working with young children using the computer. The children had so much fun with his style of teaching. He felt he was making a difference in their lives. Gary and Norma Jean decided to retire after more than 25 years of teaching and were just starting into their travel years when he was detoured with cancer.
His hobbies included wine tasting and poker. He loved poker for the thinking involved, trying to figure out the player strategies. He was quite good at it and could be found at tournaments frequently. But, his true joy came from playing with and teasing his grandchildren. Each one had a special relationship with him. Gary and Norma Jean were always side by side throughout life. After being together for 46 years it just wasn’t fun if they weren’t together. Gary’s outlook on life and his unique sense of humor will certainly be carried on through his family and friends.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Wednesday, April 7, from 5-7 p.m., at the Chiampa Funeral Home ~ 5 Church Road, On the Common, Shrewsbury Center. His funeral home service will be held on Thursday, April 8, at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at Mountain View Cemetery. In keeping with the Covid-19 guidelines, all attendees are kindly asked to wear face coverings and practice social distancing while at the funeral home and cemetery.
In lieu of flowers donations in Gary’s name may be made to Dana Farber Cancer Center, Attn: Elizabeth Paterson at DFCI, the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, Brookline, MA 02445. The checks should be made out to DFCI Milford Satellite.
