The Life of David John Davies
David John Davies passed away on December 2, 2021 after a year-long fight with cancer. A loving father, grandfather, husband, and lifelong fisherman, David, known to many as Buddy, is survived by his wife Christine Davies, his daughters Chrissy and Tom Dullinger of Newtown, Connecticut, and Erica and Gary Founds of West Chester, Pennsylvania as well as his grandchildren Stefan, Tyler, Connor, Samantha, and Brady. He is also survived by his sister Linda Guest, his nephews Paul & Kim Guest and Bret & Audrey Guest. In addition, he is survived by his stepson Dennis Walsh of Linwood, NJ and stepdaughter Nicole Barnabei of Somers Point, NJ along with step grandchildren Hannah, Sam, Derek, and Matthew. He was predeceased in death by his first wife Nancy (Espenak) Davies and his parents John and Kathryn (Palmer) Davies. A man of the sea, he grew up spending every summer in Ocean City, New Jersey in his family’s beach home, a tradition he continued with his two daughters.
Born on April 21, 1945 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, David grew up in Drexel Hill and graduated from Upper Darby High School. Despite teenage wishes of attending college on the Florida coast where he could spend his days with rod & reel, he graduated from Wagner College in 1967 where he met his late wife, Nancy. After graduating, he moved to Media, Pennsylvania where he raised his family and went to work as a commercial tire salesman in the family business for Palmer Tire Company. He had just retired this summer from McCarthy Tire after 22 years. A natural charmer and larger than life personality, he loved making connections and developing relationships which led him to win countless awards in sales. He made even the newest of acquaintances feel like a friend.
In his later years, David made Ocean City his permanent home where he was surrounded by his lifelong and multi-generational friends of 50th Street. In this close-knit community, David became a grandfather figure to many. It is here at the shore where some of our richest memories with him were made. Visits to Buddy meant Fourth of July festivities, trips to the boardwalk, sandcastles & boogie boarding, and nights that ran long from endless games of Pokeno and Sequence. In his free time, David enjoyed vacationing in Aruba with his wife Christine, playing golf, and was an avid sports fisherman. He had wonderful memories of spending every summer weekend deep sea fishing with his father. He had traveled to Venezuela and Guatemala to tournament fish and recently had finally rewarded himself with his own boat, the culmination of a life-long dream.
David had only one rule – no crying at the beach. Well, two rules rather, he’d also tell his grandkids no fingers on the walls. His easy smile, sharp wit, and belief that laughter was the best medicine could overcome even the worst of toddler tantrums. With his full head of hair and bronzed skin, he had a youthfulness and liveliness that matched his warm character and charisma.
Interment in Arlington Cemetery, Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania will be private.
The family welcomes donations to the American Cancer Society as an expression of sympathy instead of flowers.