PRESQUE ISLE - Arnold A. Davis died May 12, 2013, with his wife, Joyce, by his side at their apartment in Leisure Village, Presque Isle. He was born Jan. 12, 1921, in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of Hamden and Sarah McDowell Davis of Calais. After his mother's death in 1926, he lived at the Bangor Children's Home in Bangor, and the Opportunity Farm for Boys in New Gloucester. He later lived with families in Kenduskeag and East Corinth, where he graduated from East Corinth Academy in 1940. After one year at the University of Maine he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served during World War II for three and a half. He returned to the University of Maine and graduated with a bachelor's degree in agricultural education in 1949. That same year he married Joyce Spencer of Vermont. He spent the rest of his working life in the field of agricultural management, retiring in 1996. He and his family moved to Washburn in 1951, where he lived until 2012. At the University of Maine he was a member of Phi Eta Kappa Fraternity, Senior Skulls, and M Club. He was president of his university class for 27 years. He was a past commander of Corinth Post American Legion and served on the Washburn, SAD 45, School Board. In 1956 he was selected Outstanding Young Farmer in Maine by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. For many years he was a Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and deacon of State Road Advent Christian Church of Mapleton. "Arnie" was well known as an enthusiastic fan and supporter of University of Maine athletics. He made innumerable trips from his home in Aroostook County to Orono to watch his beloved Black Bear teams. He never met a stranger and gave his "MY CARD" to thousands of unsuspecting recipients. The cards have become collectors' items for many of those who received them. He was a founding member of the Wednesday lunch gathering of friends in Presque Isle known as ROMEOs, Retired Old Men Eating Out. As a long term promoter of Maine potatoes, he persuaded Alfond Arena management to serve baked Maine potatoes at UMaine hockey games and many times personally delivering boxes of potatoes to the arena. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Joyce; daughter, Susan D. George and husband, Richard, of Tempe, Ariz.; son, Robert A. Davis and wife, Kathleen, of Presque Isle; son, Stephen S. Davis and wife, Kristen, of DeWitt, Mich.; grandchildren, Emily Kate Peers and husband, Dan, of Presque Isle, Betsy Marie Randall and husband, Lem, of Stamford, Conn., Virginia Keaton Davis of Dayton, Mitchell Worthen Davis and fiancé, Katelynn Hartt, of Presque Isle; and great-grandchildren, Charlie and Sadie Peers. He was predeceased by brothers, Everett, Oliver, Henry, Roscoe, Roy and Carl; and sister, Shirley. A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, May 18, at State Road Advent Christian Church, Mapleton, with the Rev. Greg Moody officiating. Calling hours will be 1 p.m. until the time of the service. A reception will be held at the church immediately after the service. Interment will be at Crouseville Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to State Road Advent Christian Church designated for Youth Ministries, P.O. Box 551, Presque Isle, ME 04769 or to Aroostook House of Comfort Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 867, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Online condolences may be expressed at www.duncan-graves.com. Published in BDN Maine on May 14, 2013

• published: 27 Aug 2013
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