Obituary of James Blake Davis

WESTFIELD - James B. "Jim" Davis, 83, of Westfield, N.Y. died peacefully Saturday morning, October 13, 2012 at St. Vincent Health Center in Erie, Pa. with his family by his side. Jim was born in Lancaster, N.Y. , October 4, 1929 the son of the late James M. and Rose (Helwig) Davis. After graduating from Lancaster High School, Jim enlisted with the U.S. Army in 1946 and served as a gunner until his honorable discharge in 1948.He received the WW II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal, Japan. . Jim married the love of his life, Helen (Rohman), on June 27, 1970 in the town of Charlotte. He had been employed with National Fuel Gas for 30 years and retired as a foreman in 1987. Jim had also been employed by the Fredonia police department, Ripley Machine and assisted as constable in Ripley with Don Johnson. He also served as a member of the Barcelona Harbor Commission and the Chautauqua Lake Fishing Advisory Board, and had been a volunteer fireman with Fredonia fire department. Jim was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose # 118 of Westfield, VFW Post 6764 of Westfield, and the American Legion Post # 493 of Mayville. He was an avid NASCAR fan and enjoyed hunting and fishing especially going to the Adirondacks to hunt there too. Riding motorcycles was a favorite past-time as well. But most of all, Jim enjoyed the times spent with his family and grandchildren. Along with his loving wife of 42 years, Helen, Jim is survived by three daughters :Sandra Raynor and Brenda Houser of Mayville, NY; Debra (Steve) Morrell of Westfield, NY, his three sons : Gary J. Davis of Fredonia, NY; Jerry R. (Dolores)Davis of Clearwater, Fla., and James M. Davis of St. Petersburg, Fla, as well as his 13 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. Jim is further survived by a sister, Norma (Ere) Walker of Buffalo, N.Y. , two brothers; Harold John (Wilda) Davis of Warsaw, N.Y. , and Boyd Davis of Florida and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister Joan Heck. Friends may call at the MASON Funeral Home, 37 Clinton Street, Westfield, NY 14787 Tuesday from 2 -4 pm and again from 6 - 8 pm and are invited to attend the funeral services there on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 beginning at 11:00 am. Burial with full military honors will follow at the Union Cemetery, Westfield, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be sent to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, New York 10018 or to the Mayville Rescue Squad, 1 South Erie Street, Mayville, NY 14757. To send Jim's family a message of sympathy, log on to www.masonfuneral.com.