Steve Davidson
Jan. 30, 1955 – March 20, 2026
Steve Davidson, a talented musician and beloved father, passed away on March 20, 2026, in Braintree, Massachusetts, from complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. He died peacefully after a long-fought battle.
Raised in Randolph, Massachusetts, Steve met some of his best friends there—friends he kept throughout his life. It was during that time that he discovered his desire to be a musician.
His mother once said, “The Beatles ruined Steve’s life.” But Steve would say they gave him life. He wanted to play drums like Ringo, but when his father gave him a guitar instead of a drum kit, the guitar became his passion. From that point on, if he wasn’t holding a guitar and strumming, one was always close by.
Steve became an extremely talented musician, able to play guitar, piano, drums, and bass. In junior high school, he formed his first band, and they would play at bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs. He would go on to become a fixture of the Boston music scene during the 1970s and 1980s. He was a member of The Real Kids, The Modes, Slash, and many other bands. During that time, he formed many close friendships that he maintained throughout his life.
Steve later turned to his other talents, including photography, art, and graphic design, running his own graphic design business.
After moving to Delray Beach, Florida, in 1998 with wife and daughter, Steve continued to play in bands there. He also recorded his own music in his home studio and ran his business until the disease prevented him from doing so.
While music was in Steve’s blood, his daughter, Paisley, was in his heart. His face lit up whenever he talked about her, and he beamed when he saw her. He called her his “Monkivator,” and he loved playing games with her, watching her perform in dance recitals, and having fun with her during many trips to Disney World. He was incredibly proud of Paisley, especially her baking talents, and the woman she became, and he wanted to tell the world about her.
Also in Steve’s heart was Michelle, his ex-wife, who became his caregiver the last 18 months of his life. They had many very happy years together as a couple and then as a family. Despite the later difficult times, their love for one another remained, and he was extremely thankful to have her back in his life helping him.
Steve was charismatic, witty, and sometimes very silly, hoping to make the serious people around him relax and have fun. He found joy in their laughter. He was also very empathetic, not wanting the people he loved to be sad. At the same time, he was extremely sensitive and wanted to be loved and cared for.
He also had a special love of dogs, especially his beloved Jackpot and Katie. Whenever a dog was nearby, he wanted to pet it, and toward the end of his life, he often wished he could have another.
In addition to those he held closest, Steve was predeceased by his son, Jeremy; his parents, Robert and Leona (Sidell); and his sister Leslie. He is survived by his daughter, Paisley Marie, and her partner, Colby Hesson; his ex-wife, Michelle Davidson (Grabon); his sister Jancie Newell (Davidson); his brother, Gary Davidson, and his wife, Sally (Brisson); his nephew, Kyle Davidson, and his wife, Julie; his niece, Amanda Besner (Newell), and her husband, Joseph; his grand-niece, Isla; many cousins; and many dear friends.
A celebration of Steve’s life will be held this summer. Donations in Steve’s memory may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
Look up to the oldest mountain,
Look up to the sky, it’s not too hard to see.
Each peaks like a hopeful kiss,
Each cloud tells me why your love could stay with me.
— Steve Davidson, “Nothing But Our Loves’ Forever”