Perley E. Davis

COLEBROOK, NH -- Mr. Perley E. Davis, 80, of Colebrook, NH, passed away on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH, with his loving family at his side. Mr. Davis was born on March 23, 1929, in Colebrook, NH, a son of Homer C. Davis and Ruth C. (Hammond) Davis. He attended school in Colebrook and graduated from Colebrook Academy in 1947. After graduation, Perley entered Norwich University and earned a degree in civil engineering in 1951. At that time, he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. He served with honor during the Korean War with the 25th Infantry Division, and was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He continued his military service as a member of the NH National Guard as a 1st Lieutenant until 1959. His working career encompassed many jobs over the years. For 17 years, Perley was a co-owner and operator of Sims Dairy, a local processing plant and delivery company, and he was an engineer for Burnett Construction Company of Burlington, Vt., helping to create the system for waste water treatment for the Upper Connecticut Valley Hospital and extensions of the local system in Colebrook. Mr. Davis was the business administrator of SAU #7 for 20 years, and was instrumental in the projects for vocational training shops in Colebrook, Pittsburg, and Canaan, Vt. He also laid out the athletic fields and outdoor basketball courts for the Colebrook schools, as well as taking part in the renovations at Colebrook Academy and the elementary school gymnasium. Public service was important to Perley. He served on the Colebrook School Board for 5 years, and as chairman of the combined SAU #7 and SAU #58 boards. He was chairman of the Colebrook Cemetery Trustees for a period of time. And he will always be remembered locally as a legislator for the 1st District in the NH House of Representatives for 3 ½ terms, serving on the Environment & Agricultural Committee and the Education Committee. In his spare time, Perley was an avid hunter and fisherman, and loved to be outdoors. He was a regular player with the local Cribbage Cohorts, and he was a 50+ year member of the Eastern Star Lodge #37, F. & A.M. He leaves behind a daughter, Julie Colby and husband, David, of Colebrook, NH; a son, Timothy and partner, Tony Mcdonald, of Washington, DC; four granddaughters, Melissa Boire, Jacie Colby, Hannah Colby, and Tia Mcdonald-Davis; a grandson, Jayson Mcdonald-Davis; two great-grandchildren, Emma McKeage and Lyvia Rexford; and a sister, Bernardine Stanton, of Colebrook, NH; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Davis is preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 53 years, Janice, in late 2004; a son, Peter, in 1959; two brothers, Robert and Harold Davis; and three sisters, Mary Davis, Helen Placy, and Barbara Schiavone. Memorial calling hours will be on Saturday, February 27, 2010, from 4-7 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook, NH. A Masonic service will be presented by Evening Star Lodge #37, F&AM of Colebrook immediately prior to the calling hours at 3:45 p.m. A graveside service with military honors will be held in the spring at the Colebrook Village Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy in Mr. Davis’ memory may be made to the Colebrook Public Library, c/o Julie Colby, P.O. Box 58, Colebrook, NH 03576. Condolences may be offered to the family on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home, Colebrook, NH.

Perley E. Davis

March 23, 1929 - February 21, 2010