Roger Monckton Davies

Roger Monckton Davies, aged 75 years, died peacefully on March 11th 2021 at home in Pasadena, California, after a short illness. Roger was born in Neath, Wales. Just after his first birthday, his parents, both teachers, moved to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Always full of adventure and daring, he had a happy childhood, and he was devoted to sport. He played rugby for his successful school team, the Belfast Royal Academy First XV, and for the Ulster Schools team. Whilst Roger, 'Taffy' to those close to him, had a preference for the lock forward position, he nevertheless played variously in both the front and second rows. Many of his Irish rugby colleagues stayed friends for life although, of course, Roger remained a loyal supporter of Wales when the Home Nations played. After around 10 years in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Roger moved to California. There he studied accountancy before working in a number of banks, including Chase and CIT, and finally working freelance. Roger loved his new life in the US and he made some marvelous friends there. He loved the great outdoors and he often went backpacking in the awesome American countryside. He enjoyed watching his adopted sports of basketball and baseball, following his favorite home teams, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Angels. Perhaps surprisingly for an ex- rugby player, Roger also developed a passion for cooking. He studied Cordon Bleu cuisine and his kitchen was arranged with military precision! But above all he loved his golf. Given the connection with Northern Ireland, he followed Rory McIlroy’s fortunes very closely and being highly competitive, he took his own game seriously as well. He and his golfing partner played nearly every week and he loved every minute of it, except perhaps when he thought he had played badly. Like all true golfers, he felt either elated or despondent after every game. Roger will be greatly missed by his brother Chris and sisters Jill and Liz in Ireland, and by his many good friends in Belfast and Pasadena.

A visitation for Roger will be held Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Pierce Brothers Turner & Stevens Mortuary, 1136 East Las Tunas Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.PBturnerstevens.com for the Davies family.