Cyril P. Davis, Jr

Portsmouth, RI - C. Preston Davis, Jr. 83, from Portsmouth, RI, and formerly a long time Middletown resident passed away on March 21, 2012 at 51 Long Shore Road, Portsmouth, RI. Born on July 3, 1928 in Fall River, MA, he was the son of the late Cyril Preston and Mabel Stott Davis.He was a communicant of the former Central Baptist Church; graduated from Durfee High School in Fall River, MA in 1948; spent two years serving in the US Army during the Korean War where he spent 11 months in Iceland; worked for Acme Neville Company as a welder for 36 years and then as a foreman of the Fabrication Shop at Globe Manufacturing for 6 years when he retired.Preston is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty Jane Davis; daughters, Ruth Ann Davis, Beth Lee Gibson, and Barbara Jo Davis; grandchildren, Jason Preston Davis and wife Sarah, Kyle Robyn Gibson, Aaron Girard Gibson, and Nicholas Adam Davis; sister, Virginia Howarth and their nieces.Preston was a Charter member of the Tiverton Yacht Club where he raced Candy Class Sailboats. He and Betty enjoyed many years of ballroom dancing with friends; spent many winters skiing with his family in Vermont; enjoyed hunting and fishing; and loved travelling the world with Betty. He was a member of the Masons and was on the U.S. Marathon Swim Committee.Calling hours will be held on Thursday, March 29, 2012, from 11-1pm followed by a funeral service at 1pm, in the Connors Funeral Home, 55 West Main Road, Portsmouth, RI.Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Portsmouth Volunteer Rescue, P.O. Box 806, Portsmouth, RI 02871 or the Newport Hospital, 11 Friendship Street, Newport, RI 02840