Joseph S. Davis

1930 - 2016

Joseph S. Davis, 85, of Naples, FL, passed peacefully on January 24, 2016. Joe warmed people with his sense of humor and fashionable attire. He loved his career, art, travel and performing magic, but above all else, his family. Joe was married for 56 years to the late Martha "Marty" G. Davis. He was the loving father of Betsy (Banks), Kathy (Guay), Mark and James, caring father-in-law of Bill Banks, Paul Guay, Karen Davis and Geri Davis, and proud grandfather of eight: Laura, Jeffrey, Kevin, Brian, Jonathan, Jessica, Jacob and Bennett. His devoted sister Mirrel Weinstein survives him. He was born on January 27, 1930 in Chicago, IL to Elizabeth and Joseph Davis. He graduated from Columbia University and Harvard Business School and then served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1953-1956. Joe had a successful 37-year career at May Department Stores. He started as a management trainee at May D&F in Denver, CO. At Kaufmann's in Pittsburgh, PA, Joe moved from assistant divisional merchandise manager to Executive Vice President. He became President of G. Fox and Company in Hartford, CT and then President and CEO of M. O'Neil Company in Akron, OH. Coming full circle, he and Marty returned to Denver where Joe became President and CEO of May D&F. He retired in 1993, but his interest in retail continued throughout his entire life. His volunteer efforts were exemplary, making major contributions to civic, arts and educational institutions in every community where he and Marty lived. In Denver, he served as a visiting professor and Executive-in-Residence at University of Colorado Denver Business School. Since 1984, he served as a lifetime member on the Board of Directors at National Jewish Health in Denver. He and Marty moved to Naples in 2010. Most recently, he served on the Board of Directors at Neighborhood Health Clinic and St. Matthew's House. He was an active participant in community affairs as a member of The Minor League Club and Greater Naples Leadership. He also served on the Board of Trustees at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Greater Naples. Joe lived each and every day to the fullest surrounding himself with family and friends, who loved him for his kind ways and positive outlook on life. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 30 at 3 p.m. at The Club Pelican Bay, 707 Gulf Park Drive, Naples, FL. Donations may be made in his memory to Neighborhood Health Clinic (www. neighborhoodhealthclinic.org), 121 Goodlette-Frank Rd., Naples, FL 34102; St. Matthew's House (www.stmatthewshouse. org), 2001 Airport Road S., Naples, FL 34112; or National Jewish Health (www.nationaljewish.org), PO Box 17169, Denver, CO 80217. For online condolences, please visit fullernaples.com.