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- HORNELL - Charles F. Davis, 98, formerly of Hornell, N.Y. peacefully passed away Saturday afternoon (July 28, 2018) at the Groton Community Health Care Center in Groton, N.Y. He had lived for 90 years on County Route 70A (Big Creek Road), and recently moved to Cortland County to be near family. He resided at the Elizabeth Brewster House in Homer, N.Y., where he received outstanding companionship and support from caring staff.
Born in the Town of Fremont, N.Y. on April 14, 1920, he was a son of the late Lewis F. and Mildred W. (Burdett) Davis. In 1956 he was married to the former Grace G. Goodwin of Arkport, N.Y. In 1991 he was married in Maumee, Ohio to the former Laura M. Farthing, who predeceased him on Aug. 5, 2011, after 20 years of marriage. Besides his parents and wife, he was also predeceased by his brother, Herman F. Davis; his sister, Dorothy J. (Stanley) Smith; and a stepson, Robert M. Farthing.
Charles attended rural schools to receive his elementary education and graduated from Hornell High School in 1937. In 1942 he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps, where he trained as an aircraft mechanic and electrician. He proudly served his country for three years and eight months, serving 10 months in the Pacific. In 1946 he was honorably discharged as a Staff Sergeant and continued to serve for 22 years in the Reserves.
He owned and operated the former Auto Fuelectrics, a vehicle repair business, on Thacher Street in Hornell for 22 years before he semi-retired and continued to repair auto and farm equipment parts and pursue his passion for restoring John Deere tractors.
Charles was active in community, civic and arts associations. He was a member of both the Steuben County Magistrates Association and a member of the New York State Magistrates Association for 55 years, where he was very highly regarded and continued to contribute even after he was no longer serving as a judge. He held multiple offices in each Magistrates Associations and served as President of the NYSMA in 1986. He was also a member of the Stephens Mills Grange (since 1933), and a member of two area Masonic Lodges, where he also served as an officer.
In 1963, Charles was appointed to the position of Justice of the Peace in the Town of Fremont, a position he held for 27 years. During that tenure, he also served as the Justice of the Peace for the Village of Arkport for 10 years and served as a Councilman for the Town of Fremont.
Charles loved music and was well-known for his beautiful voice. He sang with the Maple City Chorus chapter of SPEBSQSA (Barbershop Harmony) for 28 years where he served as a local officer. He also sang lead in the Quartet, Minimum Daily Requirement. His love for music extended to theater when he was invited to audition for a part in the Rotary Production of the Musical, Annie. He subsequently appeared in many other local productions.
His loving family includes his son, Kevin Davis (Nancy McKeon) of Groton, N.Y.; his two daughters, Leslie (Gregory) Porter of Paso Robles, Calif. and Lisa Davis of Delmar, N.Y.; three grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Erla Davis of Hornell, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He is also survived by two stepsons, Bradford (Jean) Farthing of Rochester, N.Y. and William Farthing of Iowa City, Iowa; a step-daughter-in-law, Diane Farthing of Rossford, Ohio; as well as several step-grandchildren and several step-great-grandchildren.
The Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc. in Hornell is honored to serve the family of Charles F. Davis.
Calling hours are 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday (Aug. 10, 2018) at the Bishop & Johnson Funeral Home, Inc., 285 Main St., Hornell, where a funeral and committal service, with military honors, will be held following calling hours at 1 p.m., Friday. Interment will be in the Howard Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please contribute in Charles' memory to the Elizabeth Brewster House, 41 Main St., Homer, N.Y. 13077 (online at www.brewsterhouse.org/ebh-foundtion.html), or to a favorite house of worship or charity.
Online condolences or remembrances of Charles are encouraged at www.bishopandjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Published in Hornell Evening Tribune on Aug. 4, 2018
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1920 - 2018 (98 years)
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