Dear Libby
Please accept my condolences on the loss of your beloved husband John.  He was such a pleasant  and distinguished gentleman.  You two made an excellant team at the bridge table  ,  always a pleasure to defend against .  Keep well.
Sincerely 
Margaret LaBerge


Dear Mrs. Davis,
It is with great sadness that I learnt of Mr. Davis’ passing - many years have gone by but the friends I made at Inter City Paper have lasted a lifetime.
I was thrilled to land the job as his secretary in the early 70’s -they were exciting times for the company led by an extraordinary man who was compassionate, caring and encouraging towards all of us who worked with him.
Although I have been living in Australia for the past 25 years I still have maintained friendships from Inter City Papers and at every reunion Mr. Davis has always been the main topic of our conversations -he was a true gentleman.
My sincere condolences to you Mrs.Davis and to your children.
Affectionately 
Micheline Boutin

I worked with John from 1969 to 1976 at Inter City Papers,in Montreal,John was my mentor,it was a win win relationship that we and the company benefited from.My condolences and prayers to a Libby and the family.May his soul rest in eternal peace and happiness,Amen
John and Diana Polisena 

Dear Libby, Richard, and Family,
John hired me at Inter City Papers and became my mentor and hero. His coaching and support eventually enabled me to have the confidence and skill to continue his work of building that fine company.
I will always remember his kindly sense of humor and gentlemanly ways. He will be missed.
Sincere condolences,
Jeff Chipman
Former President Inter City Papers and Vice President Abitibi-Price

From such high bounds
We watched you fall
Graceful as the autumn leaves you left behind
Of silent orange debonair

You sank slowly into the ethereal waters
And drifted away from us, an island unto your own
Fading off towards horizon
Receding with the lonely sands of time

Thinking now, back to the firm ground you once stood
So tall and lean and vast
You mastered this world, and nurtured countless more
Cunning and magnanimous
You spoke without a breathe of ego

It's only fitting then
That even when your body whimpered, and mind frayed
You faded softly, humbly
Quietly shrinking behind the shadow you once cast
You stood beside yourself with such a dignity

In this you remind us of ourselves
That the warmth we hold is ephemeral
That the position we inhabit is frail
That we are slaves to both chance and time
But that in this brief moment of existence we are gifted
We can still be something great

I’ll always remember those gentle blue eyes
And their demure, empathetic gaze
You were our armoured knight
Our humble teacher
And you gifted us all one final lesson
Goodnight, our gentle sir, goodnight.

Dear Mrs. Davis (Libby) and Family

My sincere condolences go out to you and your family on such a great loss.

Working for John Davis were the most interesting years of my working career.  I learned so much working for him that benefited me greatly when I joined my husband in  our business. He was a great boss who always treated me with respect and I felt very privileged to have had the opportunity to work with him.

It is with much sadness that I send this message.

Sincerely,

Pauline Kirkwood

When Libby emigrated to Canada as an occupational therapist in the early 1950's to sample the wider world with three like-minded friends, we little thought that she would remain there for the rest of her life; but of course she met John and never looked back.  John had arrived in Canada from England, a young man with similar attitudes embarking on the Canadian adventure trail.  As sisters, we never had any doubts that our loving relationship would cope with separation and indeed, it proved so.    We were married in 1959 and were blessed, as were John and Libby, with three children.   

John’s interest in sport mirrored Holms’ interests.  Both had played rugby, cricket and afterwards what became their first love, golf, which continued as golf does, until much later in life.  John managed a successful business career, first with Inter City Papers and then with Abitibi Price and combined this with a happy home, finding time for frequent holidays to the UK and other parts of the world.

Their early married life with children found them regularly sharing holidays with our young family at North Berwick, Falkirk, Swanage as well as in Canada, where Holms fondly remembers golfing at Rosedale Golf Club as John's guest.  Fortunately our children developed long standing friendships which continue today, much to our delight.  The Davis apartment in Boynton Beach with golf at the Country Club of Florida became a regular meeting place for delightful holidays.  

John’s calm, thoughtful ways, always helped to keep us together – something we will never forget.  After a day’s golf in Florida, the ritual “hour of the swallow” before dinner followed by some bridge, lead to perfect days.

His humour was always lurking, even when he missed a putt, and this made him such great company.  We were lucky enough to have circumstances allowing us to meet often and enjoy his company.  We consider ourselves so very fortunate to have known John and we will remember him with love and affection.


I was so sorry to see, both @ the Donalda Club, and in the newspaper that we had lost such a wonderful man. In 1980, although I had NOT known John previously, when my son was horribly  injured, he came to me @ the Cambridge Club & @  Donalda, without any fanfare, and offered to join me in games of squash, which we both played @ a similar level -- throughout my initial days of grief, he was a stalwart friend, just when I needed it -- I have never forgotten his kindness in the almost 40 years since that time, and it grieves me that we have all lost him -- he was a great man in every sense of the word and  of the utmost compassion / integrity.

Words, whether written or spoken, 
seem so futile at a time like this.
And yet, we do want you to know
just how deeply both Connie and I
sympathize with you,
as a result of your recent loss.
Affectionately,
Connie and John.

Dear Libby and Family,
You should know that your John/Dad earned the greatest respect and admiration from all his colleagues at Abitibi -Price-Consolidated-Bowater, etc.  At a time when the Company road was somewhat rocky, John kept a cool head and a firm hand on the tiller.  John was always prepared to offer calm council to his associates, if, as, and only when required.  John’s attendance at Abitibi Alumnae Assoc. luncheons in recent years, became sporadic due to health and proximity, however his participation was always a pleasure.
Our Sympathy and Best Wishes.
Bill Boughner    c/o  Abitibi-Price Alumnae Assoc. 

Dear Libby, 
A name out of the past!  I read in the Globe about John's passing and I would like to extend on behalf of all the Birrells, our sincerest condolences.  It has been years since our paths have crossed but I have truly wonderful memories of you and John from days in Montreal and then in Toronto and Florida.  I have been living in London (Eng not Ont) for the past 10 years and am loving it.  Still, memories of Montreal remain close to my heart.   I shall raise a glass in honour of John tonight.  
With deep affection and condolences, 
Rodney 

Having met Linda Spence through theater, we have performed together on many occasions; some of my most memorable shows were shows performed with Linda. There were 2 things I could always count on when doing a show with Linda: 1) Linda is amazing on stage and 2) I could always count on Linda's parents to attend one or more of the performances of each show we did together. Their warm and contently-proud expression for Linda's stage presence and their appreciative acknowledgement to those who were Linda's colleagues are my lasting memories of Linda's parents at the theater.  John will be missed. Amy and I wish the family Peace and Love.

OBITUARY

John Gilbert Davis

August 17, 1936 – October 25, 2019

Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes

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