FRANK FOREST "JOE" DAVIDSON Jr., M.D.

DAVIDSON, Frank "Joe" Forest Jr. MD Age 89, passed away peacefully, on Sunday, February 8, 2026. He was the beloved husband of 63 years to Marsha (Gatonska) Davidson; brother to the late Cornelia Davidson Oliver and Elizabeth Davidson; and son of the late Frank F. and Elizabeth (Erhart) Davidson. Born in Newton and raised in Wellesley Hills, Joe's life was defined by enduring connections, none more constant than his friendship with Robert "Robbie" Chellis, a bond that began in their earliest days in Wellesley Hills and never ended. Joe graduated from Noble and Greenough School in 1954, where he was class president and excelled in athletics. He continued his education at Amherst College, Class of 1958, where he was a member of the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity and captain of the hockey team. He pursued his calling in medicine at Boston University School of Medicine and completed his residency at San Francisco General Hospital. A respected pulmonologist, he taught on the faculty at Boston University Medical School and contributed original work on lung sound diagnostics before opening a primary care practice in Weston, MA. Known for his deep compassion and bedside manner, Dr. Davidson dedicated his life to the care of his patients. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Joe, fluent in German, was stationed in Germany, where he worked for Army Intelligence, enjoyed German culture, skied, and famously managed to keep his skates sharp, continuing to play the hockey he loved since high school. His passion for the outdoors extended well beyond the rink, he was an avid skier, tennis player, golfer, and boater. Many of his happiest moments were spent boating, in his beloved 1938 Chris-Craft motorboat and Thistle sailboat, on South China Lake, Maine: a place he cherished not just for its beauty, but for its lifelong community of friends and family. He was also a lover of literature and music, adept at both the piano and guitar, and was for many years a member of both the Dedham and Wellesley choral societies. In addition to his wife, Marsha; he is survived by his three children: Frank, Andrea, Jill, and their respective partners. He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren and also leaves behind many beloved nieces, nephews, and extended family members. Service Information: Private family arrangements are under the care of Chesmore Funeral Home, of HOLLISTON. In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to Doctors Without Borders, give.doctorswithoutborders.org

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