Durward A. “Dave” Davidson (1916-2008)

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KINGFIELD – Durward A. “Dave” Davidson, 92, of Kingfield died peacefully at his beloved Main Street home Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.

He was born March 15, 1916 in Kingfield, a son of Earl and Sarah (Atwood) Davidson. He graduated from Kingfield High School where he was affectionately called “Panther” by his basketball team mates because of his prowess at playing center position.

Mr. Davidson had numerous and interesting occupations throughout his lifetime. After graduating from high school he took a job cutting wood with a bucksaw at a lumber camp at the foot of Mt. Abraham in Kingfield. His pay was one dollar a day, plus room and board. He later moved to Portland, ME. and found work as a welder on the Liberty Ships during World War II, while serving in the U.S. Army. It was there that he met and courted Ruby Faye Adams, whom he married on Aug. 3, 1943. They were married for 48 years, until her death in 1991. He then spent time working at an apple orchard, then on Flagstaff Lake and later still at a birch mill in Bingham.

In the early 1950s Mr. Davidson seized an opportunity to work as a guide for the Lac Megantic Fish and Game Club in far northwestern Maine. The job combined his many loves of the outdoors; fishing, hunting, trapping, boating, snowmobiling, hiking and enjoying nature. He and his wife Ruby worked for the club for more than 25 years. His later years at the club were spent as Steward, a job he truly loved. He dearly enjoyed time spent in the Big Island/Boundary Mountains area and the people there. Upon his retirement he was bestowed a life-long membership and enjoyed returning to the club to fish for many years after. He once actually hooked a loon, which was intent on the fish he had on his hook. The bird took the fish and his line with it. He loved to tell a good fishing story.

After retiring, Mr. Davidson set out on a new venture; building traditional log cabins from scratch. He employed his brother Dana and grandson Robert Perkins in the endeavor, as well as several others. He left a legacy of more than one dozen homes of many sizes all over the state of Maine that will withstand the test of time and play testimony to his skill as a craftsman.

He loved his home on the northern end of town. He refurbished the inside shortly after buying it in the 1950s. He and Ruby spent many happy hours planning and planting extensive flower gardens, blueberries, raspberries and more.

In late 1991 he married Eleanor “Tillie” Bubier Brackett of Rangeley. In their retirement years they traveled extensively throughout Maine and Canada and greatly enjoyed life. She passed away in 2000.

Mr. Davidson spent his life in a quiet, dignified way and enjoyed its offerings to the fullest. He passed on in much the same way, calling the shots, taking it as it comes and having no regrets.

He is survived by a step-daughter, Brenda (Bubier) Scribner of West Brookfield, MA.; step grandsons Mark and Paul Brower; step grandaughter Navideh Brower Hayes; step grandsons Bron and Aron Brower; and other step grandchildren; a step-grandson, Robert Perkins of Concord Twp.; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Leeland (Geraldine) Davidson of Chesterville and Mrs. Lloyd (Pat) Davidson of Farmington; numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews, as well as many, many friends. Mr. Davidson was often described as a “gentleman’s gentleman” and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Donations may be made in his name to: Webster Library, Depot Street, Kingfield, ME. 04947 or the Franklin County Animal Shelter.

Graveside services will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery in Kingfield on Friday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m., under the direction of Adams~McFarlane Funeral & Cremation Services, 108 Court St., Farmington with Rev.John Tolman officiating. A gathering of friends will follow the service at Mr. Davidson’s home.

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