
COLONIE – Weidner “Ed” Davis, 94, died peacefully on Friday, August 19, 2016 at St. Peter’s Hospice in Albany surrounded by his family. Ed was born January 12, 1922, in Newark, NJ. He was the son of the late Weidner H. and Elizabeth Davis. Ed grew up in Ashokan, NY, and was a graduate of Kingston High School Class of 1940.
On February 13, 1942, Ed joined the army, and served in the 3rd Infantry Regiment, and later became a platoon sergeant for the 1st Platoon Search Company A, 1st Battalion 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). During the war Ed was in France and Germany. While on furlough, Ed married his sweetheart, Henrietta Heitzman on October 23, 1943.
Ed spent 38 years working for New York Telephone and retired from the Engineering and Planning Department in 1984. He also was a volunteer for the Capital Communications Federal Credit Union (CapCom) for 26 years later serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors. In honor of his contributions to CapCom Federal Credit Union, they established the Weidner Ed Davis Scholarship.
Throughout his life, Ed volunteered in community efforts. While living in Kingston, he was a volunteer firefighter and President of the Ulster Hose Fire Department. After moving with his family to Albany he helped build two baseball fields for the local little league.
Ed had a passion for art. He began sketching as a child, and after his retirement, Ed devoted his time to painting. He has several landscape paintings featuring places in Upstate NY. He loved the stone houses, hills, mountains and lakes of Ulster County, and captured the beauty of these places in his art. Many of his paintings are on display at Deising’s Restaurant at North Front Street, Kingston NY.
Also, Ed was a member of the Adirondack Mountain Club Albany and Schenectady Chapters and has hiked many Adirondack and Catskill mountains. Ed loved square dancing. He was a member of the Latham Circle Squares and the Shoe Leather Express in Gloversville. Recently Ed had the honor of participating in the Leatherstocking Honor Flight where he and fellow World War II and Korean War Veterans visited the World War II and Korean War monuments.
Through the years, Ed has made many friends from his involvement in the Elks Club, the American Legion Zaloga Post and the H.B. Kuhn Senior Center in Colonie. He was a kind, helpful friend to all who knew him.
Ed was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Henrietta Heitzman Davis; his parents, his sister Gertrude, and his brothers Millard and Raymond. He is survived by his children Weidner E. (Bonnie) Davis Jr., Jeffrey J. (Paula) Davis, Gregory A. (Rebecca) Davis, Cornelius J. (Cathy Marvin) Davis, Paul J. (Janice) Davis, and Judith A. (Christopher) Gardner, 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Ed was a loving Dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family treasures the joy and love he brought to their lives.
Should friends desire, contributions may be made to The Community Hospice at www.communityhospice.org/donate-memorialdonation or by mail to: The Community Hospice Foundation, 295 Valley View Blvd, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Thursday morning at 8:15 a.m., and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, 16 Homestead St., Albany (behind CVS). Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Wednesday from 4-8 p.m. Interment will be held privately in Mt. Pleasant Rural Cemetery, Boiceville, NY. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Trudy Lake
My deep condolences for the family! I only knew this AMAZING man for a short period of time but his friendship will last with me for my lifetime! Ed was well loved by so many people. The world has lost a once in a lifetime truly amazingly talented, kind, gentle man! Rest in peace Ed ….
carol wade-gordon
Sorry sorry to hear of Ed’s passing. He was a very nice man and fun to Square dance with! Carol
Connie (Lasher) Hester
My condolences to Neil and the entire Davis family. Your father was a great guy and much-loved by many. He will be missed. RIP Ed.
George Roehm
Paul Davis is one of my dear friends whom I admire and appreciate greatly. I never knew is Dad but he talked about him often and I know he loved him a great deal. It sounds like Paul is the proverbial “chip off the old block”!
I am so sorry for the loss of this wonderful man in your lives. Based on what I know from Paul it seems like this is a family who can support each other through this time and the hard period of mourning to follow.
With deepest sympathy…
George Roehm
Dennnis & Elaine
We will miss him dearly. A pleasant disposition with a welcoming smile.
Gayle and Ned Gellner
Neil and family,
Ed was truly a wonderful man. We had the pleasure of getting together with him on many occasions. He will surely be missed by many. We hope you can find comfort and support through the many friends he had. With our sincerest sympathy.
Ned, Gayle and Bryan
Single Squares dance club
“Every time we form a square, we have the feeling you are there. For you we say a square dance prayer, and let you know we really care. Although your face we cannot see, we pray that you will always be – Our square dance partner, dancing free, in a square formed for eternity.”
author, Robert Rice
THERESA MILO
Sorry to hear the news, we enjoyed Square Dancing with Ed -he was a very nice kind man.
Mike Pinckney
Neil and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for strength and comfort at this difficult time.
Mike Pinckney
bob scanlon
sincere condolences to the Davis family. I remember playing football across from your house in Albany. It usually was with Ed Jr., Jeff and Greg .
Susan Weber
How lucky you were to have had Ed with you for so long. What a charming, talented, sweet fellow he was! I printed several of his delightful stone house paintings for him a few years ago. He loved my Brittany dogs who loved him, too. And he tried to get me square-dancing! What a guy! My memories are happy ones of Ed Davis!
Fondly, Susan