Robert Anthony Davis, 70, of North Adams, journeyed Home To be with our Lord in Heaven on June 30, 2025 at Baystate Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. Born on October 13, 1954, in North Adams, MA, Bob happily lived there his entire life. Bob grew up on Bracewell Ave., and graduated from McCann Technical High School in 1973. The first 20 years of his career were spent as an electrician at General Electric, where he honed his trade and made many lifelong friends. He loved his Alma Mater so much that he returned to teach Electricity there for over 20 years. In 1979, Bob married his wife, Pauline Gertje. They lived together on State Street for 40 years where they raised their family. As a faithful landlord to many, Bob could easily be found renovating an apartment, mowing a lawn, or just visiting with his tenants, whom he treated like family. He was also the “Unofficial Ambassador” of the Annual Fall Foliage Festival Parade as he stood on his balcony, cheering and waving to everyone which was met with non-stop gleeful shouts of “Hey, Bubba!” and “Hi, Mr. Davis!”. Bob loved his community and was involved in countless programs including earning his Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts, co-founding the local Catholic Youth Organization, President of The Lebanese American Social Club, an avid member of the Fraternal Order of the Eagles serving as President, Chaplain, and Trustee, Vice President of the Northern Berkshire Community Television Corporation, and as a member of the Mass MoCA Cultural Development Commission. Similar to his beloved mother, Shirley Davis, Bob believed in giving back, helping where needed, and loved to socialize with all of his friends in town. Bob was a consummate Middle Eastern musician, specializing in the Oud. He played in orchestras, ensembles, and bands including the Cedars, the Zay-Tunes, the Williams College Middle Eastern Music Ensemble, and the Pioneer Valley Arabic Music Ensemble. He played at colleges, weddings, festivals, reunions, and each summer joined the Arabic Music Retreat. His retirement allowed him to expand his musical endeavors and share his passion through teaching and playing music at every opportunity. Bob was a devout Catholic and was a communicant of the former St. Francis of Assisi Church and more recently of St. Elizabeth of Hungary Parish. The example of Jesus’ kindness and love shaped the way Bob lived out his faith. Bob was an altar boy, lector, and eucharistic minister. Bob taught religious education for more than 50 years sharing his faith and love of God with so many young people. Above all, Bob loved his family. He enjoyed cooking, especially his famous “Jiddu Eggs,” giving music lessons, teaching his grandchildren to fly on his flight simulator, playing chess, and spoiling them at Disney World. He leaves his wife, Pauline Davis of 45 years. He was a father to Angela Park (Adam), Melissa Marchetti (Michael), and Matthew Davis (Amanda) and Jiddu to Evan, Penelope, Annabelle, Gwendolyn, Noah, Delilah, and Caleb. He leaves Joel Alvarado and Emily Alvarado whom he considered immediate family. Bob leaves his brother, James Davis (Tammy) and sisters Barbara Hassan (Kenneth) and Susan Davis, his mother-in-law, Inna Gertje, as well as numerous beloved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, INCLUDING THE HOST OF THIS PODCAST Jolly Joe AKA Joseph Anthony Davis, cousins and extended family. Bob was preceded in death by his parents Louis and Shirley Davis, and his sister, Judith Davis.We love you Bob!
