Obituary of Brian Davy

Brian Davy

September 30,1943 - February 5, 2024

Brian Davy passed away on February 5, 2024, after a long and courageous battle with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.  While Brian may have lost this last battle, by all measures he won at life.  He enjoyed his life to the fullest every day and on his own terms.  Although he only lived to the ripe young age of 80, he fit enough in those years to fill two lifetimes with some left over to spare.

He was born in a modest front room of his grandmother’s home on Hedley Street, Gosforth, in Newcastle upon Tyne, England to Ann Nancy (Taylor) and Edward Hodgson Davy on September 30, 1943.  He was the second of two boys alongside his brother Edward (wife Ina), who he loved very dearly.  He was a true and proud Geordie but he thankfully moderated his accent over time so the rest of the world could understand him.  His accent would reappear though whenever he was speaking with his best friend from Newcastle, Jim (“Jon”) Coxon.

His early years growing up in the Northeast of England were focused on football, where he played at a professional level in England and Scotland, and boxing, where he made it to the All-England final.  He didn’t ignore the arts though—he was never shy to ‘give us a song’ at the pub to earn his supper (and perhaps a pint or two…).  This is where his lifelong love of the song ‘Danny Boy’ originated.

Brian was a hardworking, innovative entrepreneur and consummate salesman from his very early days.  He had so many jobs in his youth that his mother used to say that he had 27 jobs before he turned 27, and “Brian, you should write a book.’ So he did in 2019.  Brian was never a man to let regrets hang heavy on him, but he did often say that he’d invented the skateboard 25 years before it became popular. 

He never gave up hope in work and in life. He often told the story from his furniture sales days when he had been on the road all week, away from his family, and hadn’t made a single sale. As he drove home, in a snowstorm, he almost passed by his last stop, but decided to give it one last try. That stop made his entire week and he went home successful and with an important lesson reinforced. He often said, “always do your best, and make one more call.”

While Brian and his family didn’t have a lot growing up, his generous spirit manifested at a very early age.  One time in the cool autumn weather in Newcastle he came across a young girl who didn’t have any shoes so he used the pocket money he’d earned to buy her a pair of shoes.  This generosity continued throughout his life—Brian would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need (and no one else would ever know of it). This carried on past his retirement where he chaired a Breast Cancer Committee at LHSC, ‘A Rose in my Book’ for four years and raised over $520,000 through golf tournaments and concerts featuring Alan Frew of Glass Tiger.

He emigrated from England to London, Ontario, Canada by boat in 1970 with $200 to his name.  He arrived in Canada with less than half of that after buying new friends drinks and probably having a bad run with the cards.

It didn’t matter though as he continued his entrepreneurial ways to build a successful furniture sales agency and then gave that up to become the first franchisee for M&M Meat Shops. Over 25 years with M&M, he owned 8 franchises and held many other roles over the years such as President of the Marketing Committee, Chairman of the Advisory Council, and Chairman of the Merchandising Committee.    

He spent the rest of his years in London having met the love of his life and best friend, Sandra (“Sandy”) Sue Anderson on his birthday in 1972. It was love at first sight and he all but proposed on the night they met.  They were married at St. Paul’s Cathedral on August 11, 1973 and went on to be married for over 50 years. 

Family mattered more to Brian than anything else.  He loved his children Melanie Krysta (and her partner, Dan Desjardins), and his son Stephen Brian (and his wife, Jennifer Nicole (Nikki)), so very much.  He absolutely adored and was fiercely proud of his two grandchildren Mackenzie Leigh and Tristan Edward and will greatly miss seeing them grow up. Words can’t describe how profoundly loved he was and how he’ll be missed by them all.

He survived his soul dog, Lindy, by only a couple weeks. They were inseparable from the day he brought her home for Sandy, and they could often be seen walking the streets of Riverbend and driving around in his golf cart together. He always said that when they left us, they would leave together, and as usual, he was right.

Brian was one of a kind.  He was a true lover of life, he loved to travel, a dedicated Newcastle United fan, an avid golfer, often with the Beach Boys (and had 2 hole-in-ones), an avid curler, an amazing storyteller, and the life of every party.  His mischievous sense of humour and quick wit was his hallmark—he loved, loved, loved tricking someone with a clever joke and making people smile with his storytelling.  Brian will never be forgotten but forever remembered and sorely missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. For those who knew him, knew it was a privilege to be in his presence and close to impossible to encapsulate his life into a few paragraphs.

Following his wishes, there will not be a service, but well-wishers are encouraged to crack a can of Newcastle Brown Ale and drink it in his honour.  Alternatively, if you wish to make a donation in honour of Brian, please consider donating to the Canadian Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (https://p2p.onecause.com/cpffdiy/memorial/in-memory-of-brian-davy).

There will be a celebration of Brian’s life with his friends and family in May (details to be released shortly to friends and family to share).  He insisted that this be a happy event—anyone wearing black will NOT be admitted to the celebration.  And yes, there will be a lot of Danny Boy…

As he would have liked to sign off…”Bye for now, and see you all again one sunny day.”

-END-

Danny Boy lyrics:

Oh, Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountainside

The summer's gone and all the roses falling

'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide

But come ye back when summer's in the meadow

Or when the valley's hushed and white with snow

'Tis I'll be there in sunshine or in shadow

Oh, Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love you so

And when you come and all the flowers are dying

If I am dead - as dead as I well may be -

Ye'll come and find the place where I am lying

And kneel and say Ave there for me;

And I shall hear, though soft you tread above me

And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be

And ye shall bend and tell me that you love me

And I shall sleep in peace until you come to me

Dame Vera Lynn: We’ll Meet Again

We'll meet again,
Don't know where,
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day
Keep smiling through,
Just like you always do
Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say "Hello"
To the folks that I know
Tell them I won't be long
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go
I was singing this song

We'll meet again,
Don't know where,
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day

We'll meet again,
Don't know where
Don't know when.
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day.
Keep smiling through
Just like you always do,
'Til the blue skies
Drive the dark clouds far away

So will you please say Hello
To the folks that I know.
Tell them I won't be long.
They'll be happy to know
That as you saw me go,
I was singin' this song.

We'll meet again,
Don't know where,
Don't know when
But I know we'll meet again some sunny day