Donald R. Davis' Obituary
Beloved husband and brother Donald Raymond Davis passed away on October
16, 2015 at the age of 68. Don was born on May 1, 1947 in East Syracuse,
NY, son of Harvey Raymond and Katheryn Davis.
Don spent his childhood in the Syracuse area, attending St. Bonaventure
University for two years and earning his undergraduate degree from
Fordham University. He received his law degree from Columbia University
where he was editor-in-chief of the prestigious Columbia Law Review.
During his college years he entered the ROTC program and served in the
US Army reserves.
Don was a lifelong entrepreneur who managed the startup of several local
businesses. He moved to Marin County, CA where he practiced law for a
number of years. After returning to Syracuse he became involved in real
estate in the Fremont area and managed the Clark Hill Development,
formerly a 150 acre farm owned by Don's grandparents. His most recent
business dealt with the legal aspects of intellectual property. He was
also an experienced investor who followed the stock market
enthusiastically and advised countless family members on managing their
finances. He married Antoinette Placito on May 29, 2012.
Don is remembered for his endless generosity and willingness to help any
family member who needed him. He sponsored overseas trips for siblings,
rescued them from legal and financial entanglements, helped them with
education, marriage, and career struggles, and generally was the go-to
person for any sibling, nephew, or niece who had a difficult problem. He
was respected for his formidable intelligence and the fierce
determination with which he met any goal or challenge.
Don is predeceased by his parents, Harvey and Katheryn Davis, and his step-daughter Susan Hopkins.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Toni (Placito) Davis; his step-son, Anthony(Julie) Placito of Syracuse, and five siblings; Diane Davis (Eric) Luft of North Syracuse; Charlene (Ken Walenga) Davis of San Francisco, CA; Lorraine (Paul McAndrew) Davis of Durham, NC; Glenn (Lisa) Davis of Chittenango, NY, and Janet (Mauricio) Davis-Castro of Chapel Hill, NC, as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Calling hours for family and friends will be held from 4:00-6:30 PM with a funeral service in celebration of Don’s life immediately following at 6:30 PM on Monday Oct. 19, 2015 at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNERAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd.(corner of Buckley Rd.) North Syracuse, NY.
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