Kermit Leach Davis

He was born in his family’s home on Middle St., in Keene, on May 3, 1922, the son of Clinton Preston and Helen (Leach) Davis. He attended Tilden school, Central Junior High, and graduated from Keene High School Class of 1940. He later attended Boston University studying printing plant management. He lived in Keene his entire life.

Mr. Davis had a passion for expression of the written word, inspiring him to logically study the printing trade. Following high school, he wrote a letter of inquiry to the publisher of the Messenger, the local newspaper in Hillsborough, NH, requesting an apprenticeship. His request was accepted, initiating a lifelong profession.

World War II interrupted his apprenticeship when he joined the US Army serving in the Military Police. He deployed to England, joining other “Yanks” stationed in Sutton Coldfield, a suburb of Birmingham. Here he met his future wife, Joan Helen Robbins. They married in Keene, on August 17, 1946.

Following the war he returned to Keene and secured employment with the Sentinel Printing Company. In time, he started his own printing business in his basement, Candlelight Press, which grew and moved to larger quarters at 181 Marlboro Street, and later to 312 Marlboro Street.

Mr. Davis was an innovator in the field of commercial printing, continually researching the latest technology, resulting in his business being one of the first locally to utilize new “cold type” technology, replacing two Linotype machines with a Compugraphic computerized typesetter.

Mr. Davis specialized in producing wedding invitations, business stationary and forms. He brought creativity to his work, designing menus, flyers and programs serving several community businesses, for which he was well known. Many will recall the historical placemats in restaurants, where he enjoyed the process of researching and presenting different photographs weekly. He eventually sold his business and finished his working career at MPB/Timken.

Mr. Davis was passionate about his community. He was a past member of the Keene Rotary Club and Keene Chamber of Commerce, serving as a director at one time. He also served on City boards and was active with the Community Chest now the Monadnock United Way. He attained the level of a 32nd Degree Mason as a member of the Keene Jerusalem Lodge. He was a lifetime member of the Historical Society.

His progressive and passionate approach to life reflected in his personal life as well. He enjoyed traveling and camping, snowmobiling, photography, artistic painting and creative writing. He was curious about new gadgets and technology, and in retirement took time to master using a computer to convert his father’s handwritten diaries and glass negatives into a historical chronology of early living in Antrim, NH, currently preserved in the Antrim Library.

Mr. Davis is survived by his wife of 68 years Joan Helen Davis of Keene; his daughter Ann G. Thompson, and husband Stephen, of Hudson; his son Alan P. Davis, and wife Janis, of Keene; his grandchildren Jill A. O’Connell, and husband Joe, of Laconia, Heather L. Davis of Boston and Brian P. Davis, and wife Lindsey, of Keene; his nephews Ronald Davis, and wife Janet, and Eric Davis, all of Maine. Mr. Davis’ brother Robert C. Davis died earlier.

A graveside service for Mr. Davis will be held on Friday, October 31, 2014, at 1:30 PM at Woodland Cemetery, North East Division, off North Lincoln Street. Friends and family are invited.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Mr. Kermit L. Davis’ name to the Monadnock Humane Society, 101 West Swanzey Road, Swanzey, NH 03446.

Fletcher Funeral Home (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St., Keene has been entrusted with the arrangements.