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Brian Davis Obituary
SOUTH PORTLAND - Brian E. "Ben" Davis passed away at Maine Medical Center, on Thursday, July 20, 2017, after a long illness, and with his family by his side.
He was born in Portland on Aug. 25, 1954, the son of Blaine T. and Barbara L. (Davis) Davis. He was the second of four children.
During his school days, Ben was very active in sports. He attended schools in South Portland, and Hollywood, Florida; and participated in baseball, tennis and football. He attended South Portland High School and graduated from South Broward High School in Hollywood in 1973.
Ben attended the University of Southern Maine and graduated from Daniel Webster College with a Bachelor of Science degree in air traffic control. He worked for the FAA for 25 years, retiring from the Portland Tower in 2005. He then relocated to Marco Island, Florida, to enjoy a second career, focusing on his love of the sea. He earned a 100-ton master's license and enjoyed his work as a captain in Florida with Kahuna Katamarans, Sweet Liberty, The Naples Princess, Double Sunshine, The Sanibel Island Princess and The Lady Stirling schooner. In Maine, he was a captain for Portland Discovery. Ben had a gift for storytelling and was well-known for his detailed and interesting narrations while on cruises.
While in Maine, Ben also worked helping his son Benjamin establish a yacht maintenance company, True Course Yacht Management.
Ben loved to 'fix' things. With a wealth of information and a tremendously kind and tender spirit, he was always willing to help others. He was an outstanding cook and loved to host dinners for family and friends. He created the concept of The Family "Throwdown," or cooking challenge, and participated in many sessions, taking first prize more than once.
He was predeceased by his father, Blaine T. "Tom" Davis.
He is survived by his children, Benjamin T. and Emily K. Davis, of South Portland and Nobleboro; his mother, Barbara L. Davis; his brother, Blaine E. Davis II; and sisters, Belinda J. Waterhouse and Sara G. Davis. Also surviving are his uncle and co-conspirator, Jere H. Davis; brother-in-law and good friend, Jeff Waterhouse; nephews, Evan Waterhouse and Thomas Waterhouse; and niece, Lily Pike. He will be forever missed by his family.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. To share a memory or condolence, please visit: www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers,
please consider a donation to:
Make-A-Wish Maine
477 Congress Street, Suite M1
Portland, ME 04101
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Brian Davis
Jerre Jackson
July 22, 2023
Brian was a great guy and always smiling and made everyone around him enjoy life to the fullest. To all his family and friends I am sorry for your loss.
Leo Dunn
July 22, 2023
I had the honor to crew for Captain Ben on the Sweet Liberty in Naples, FL. The Good Captain made every day an adventure.
Captain Leo Dunn
Evelyn Garvey
August 10, 2018
I attended the OKC Air Traffic Training Center in 1979 with Ben and he was one the special people that I met there. He talked about his warm, supportive family and how much he loved Portland, Maine. I happened to try to look him up today and couldn't believe it when i found the news of his passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences to his family and friends. He had the most beautiful green eyes and he was a great, fun-loving guy and he will surely be missed.
Dan Legere
August 15, 2017
I knew Ben more through acquaintance with his siblings, and recently as a neighbor to my Mom. Still the same smiling handsome guy from decades ago; and he radiated a warm feeling despite his recent challenges. My heart goes out to Sara, Blaine, and Belinda ... and the entire family. Peace to all.
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Lyn Prentice
August 10, 2017
I met Ben years ago when I was a teacher for his son Ben in grade 3 at Nobleboro, (Maine) school; and I also got to know "little sister" Emily too in that small school. Dad Ben was still traffic controller then, and what fun we had sending a teddy bear named "Ellie" around the world and back to our classroom several times, bringing us postcards and souvenirs. This was through Ben's airline contacts, and it made our geography lessons fun. Ben and his family invited my husband and I to their home for dinner at the end of the school year. What great hospitality. Ben was a wonderful person.
KATHY AND BILL SEEKAMP
August 3, 2017
PLEASE EXCEPT OUR CONDOLENCES FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR SON,BROTHER,FATHER BEN.HE WAS ONE OF THOSE GREAT GUY'S YOU MEET ONCE IN YOUR LIFE.
NEVER A BAD WORD ALWAYS TELLING STORIES WITH A TWINKLE IN HIS EYE! HE WAS PROUD OF HIS SON AND DAUGHTER.HE IS SADLY MISSED BY ALL!
Jack and Cathy Cohen
August 1, 2017
I was a fellow controller of Ben's at PWM in the early 80s. He was one of my initial instructors and he was forever on the hunt for something fun to do, always trying to include as many people as possible! He and Blaine helped me scout out a place to live, when I first arrived in Maine. Rest in peace, Ben, and sincere condolences to all your family.
William Devoe
August 1, 2017
"Big Ben" was a great guy. I met him when he was an air traffic controller, and I was working next door in the fire station. I ran into him a few times after he retired as he was waiting by the baggage claim, and he told me about skippering boats in Florida. Always saw him smiling and he put everyone in a better mood. He will be missed.
Jerre Jackson
August 1, 2017
I knew Ben since high school. He and his family were always kind and welcoming to me and all his "buddies". He invited me to visit with him after he and his family moved to Hollywood,Florida. My first big trip was one I'll never forgot.
He was very fun loving and kind to everyone around him.
My heart goes out to his Mom, Blaine, Belinda, and Sara.
Rest Peacefully.
Jerre and Theresa Jackson
Jennifer Libby-Barnes
July 31, 2017
Our heartfelt condolences to Barbara, Sara, Belinda, Blaine and all of the Davis family. I'm so very sad for you and your tememous loss.
With love, Jen and Robert Barnes
July 31, 2017
The Davis Family
I was a supervisor at the Portland Jetport during the strike. Ben was one of the first of many controllers we acquired shortly after the firing of those who walked out.
I worked with Ben for most of 10 years. He proved to be a very good controller and had a super sense of humor. But his most outstanding quality was the size of his heart. He always saw the good in people and made you smile with his numerous stories of his childhood and some of the pranks that he and Blaine pulled on each other and unsuspecting neighbors.
When I retired he and the late Mark Haskel (sp) planned my retirement party. My wife Doris still talks about the visit the two of them made to our house while I was at work in order to make what was an unforgettable video to show at the party.
Ben was a good friend and I only wish Doris and I were aware of his illness so we could have visited him one last time. Doris and I will never forget what he did to make my retirement such a memorable event. He was one in a million and provided Doris and I with many wonderful memories. He left us way too soon.
Wayne & Doris Owen
July 31, 2017
The Davis family are in my prayers. Smiling for the memories I have of Brian.
Debbie MacNeill
July 31, 2017
So sorry and Sad to hear about Ben...we attended Daniel Webster College together and became friends. I was fortunate to work with Ben at the Portland Jetport and shared many laughs. He will be truly missed but Never Forgotten!! God Bless you all...
Elaine Morse Hodnett
July 31, 2017
Sara,
My heart aches for your great loss, my friend. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Respectfully,
Greg Roberts
July 30, 2017
Ben was one of those special few people who made you feel good to be around. Fair winds Brian.
Don Davis
July 30, 2017
Sail on Ben, Sail on.
Joan Herzog
July 30, 2017
I am so very sorry to learn of Uncle Ben's passing. I last saw Ben at the hardware store and he greeted me with such warmth, just like the old days. He was telling a funny story to everyone with his eyes sparkling, animated and full of life. You could see he was unwell, most likely in pain, but he asked about my life and my daughters.
He, and all the Davis's, welcomed me and my daughters into their family many years ago. The love and kindness was like nothing I had ever experienced. They give it out in buckets. Rest In Peace Ben.
Kevin Cloutier
July 30, 2017
So very sorry to hear of Brians passing.He was a great guy who obviously lived his life doing what he enjoyed.My sincerest condolences to the Davis family.
July 29, 2017
Ben is always in our hearts.
Leo Dunn
July 29, 2017
Ben is following those Red channel markers to his return to well earned restful peace. A true optimist who made everyone feel most important, a sharer,carer, mentor, captain and true gentleman in the classic fashion.
An honor and privilege for us to have known you 'Ben", and a distinction to have been your friends. We miss you. Leo and Moxie
Richard Morin
July 28, 2017
So very sorry to hear of Ben's passing. I worked with Ben for almost 20 yrs. at PWM. In fact, Ben (BD) was the very first person I met when I transferred to PWM. He was also my trainer and mentor. He was a good and kind person. May you rest in peace BD! Your friend and brother controller - RR
Irv and Barb McCalmon
July 28, 2017
We last visited Ben on 7/18 and although he was suffering, he was inquiring about Barb's well being. He was true to form in that he was thinking of others first. He always minimized his own problems, saying "things are looking up" or "it's all good." We'll miss our conversations about the Red Sox and Patriots. We'll miss his good cooking and playing cribbage with him. We'll miss him!! How thankful we are that we were able to join hands and pray with him on that Tuesday. Our prayers go out for all Ben's family-especially his kids who he was so proud of.
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