Paul Preston Davis of Glen Mills, PA, husband of Mary French Davis, passed away on March 18, 2021 at the age of 89.
Born in Wilmington, DE, he was the son of Paul Allan Davis and Ethel Webb Davis.
Paul graduated from Wilmington High School and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. During the Korean War, Paul served in the United States Coast Guard in North Atlantic Air Sea Rescue.
Paul worked for the Delmarva Power & Light Company and retired as General Manager of Employee Relations in 1990.
Paul was a member of the Wilmington Jaycees and was awarded an honorary lifetime membership.
Paul’s lifetime interest in the Wilmington artist, Howard Pyle, led him to be an avid collector of Pyle and to author “Howard Pyle – His Life, His Work” co-published by the Delaware Art Museum.
His other interests in researching Wilmington Ephemera lead to an extensive collection that he has donated to the Delaware Historical Society.
Paul was predeceased by his daughter Cathy Davis Harris. Survivors include his sister Doris Davis Glackin (George), one daughter Barbara Davis Schmidt (Christopher), five grandchildren, Stephen Schmidt, Christina Wisser, Rick Grubb, Melanie Owens and Lisa Abele; seven great-grandchildren, two nieces and one nephew.
Funeral Services and Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Willow Tree Hospice 616 E. Cypress St., Kennett Square PA 19348 and/or the Brandywine Valley SPCA 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester PA 19380.
Arrangements by DellaVecchia, Reilly, Smith & Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 410 N. Church St. West Chester, PA 19380 610-696-1181; www. DellaFH.com