Lt. Col. Earl J. Davis, 88, Allds Street, Nashua, NH died Monday May 6, 2002 at the Hunt Community in Nashua following a lengthy illness. He was born in Auburn, NH on August 10, 1913, a son of the late Josiah T.W. and Jennie (Eaton) Davis. He had lived in Auburn for 85 years, before moving to Nashua three years ago. He was a graduate of Pinkerton Academy, Class of 1931 in Derry, where he served as the President of his class and was a member of the football team. In 1936, he graduated from the University of NH, Durham. He served as a lieutenant colonel in the US Army with the 68th Coast Artillery in both the Pacific Theater and commanding an infantry battalion in North Africa during WWII, and had been awarded the Bronze Star. Mr. Davis had worked as a civil engineer supervising the construction of highways and bridges throughout New England, New Jersey and New York for the NH Highway Dept., Savin Bros., Inc., Merritt, Chapman and Scott, and Brox Bros., Inc. where he retired in 1980. In addition, he had served as the Town Engineer for Auburn from 1972 to 1994. He was a member of the Professional Engineers of NH. He was also a member of the Washington Lodge #76, F & AM, of Candia. An avid arborist, gardener and woodsman, he was well known for the meticulous care of his gardens, orchards and property on the shore of Lake Massabesic in Auburn.
He is survived by one son Roger E. Davis, Auburn, NH, one daughter, Mrs. Kenneth M. (Janet D.) Brown, Hollis, NH, five grandchildren, Michael Cadieux (his wife Karen) of Auburn, Jennifer Brown of Natick, MA, Matthew Brown of Hollis, Benjamin Davis, Rebecca Davis, both of Dudley, MA, one sister, Addie Davis, of Manchester, NH, a sister-in-law, Ruth C. Folger of Nashua, many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Jean L. (Barrington) Davis on April 20, 2002 and by one daughter Linda Yanuszewski in 1978.
Following cremation, a private graveside service will be held Saturday May 11, 2002 at Forest Hill Cemetery, East Derry. The Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry is handling the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Mr. Davis’ name be made to the Hunt Community, 10 Allds St., Nashua, NH 03060.