Arthur Roland Davis of Southampton Dies July 30

Arthur Roland Davis of Southampton died peacefully on July 30, surrounded by his family. He was 74.

He was born on April 10, 1950, at Southampton Hospital to Lester Davis and Dorothy (Thomas) Davis. He attended Southampton Elementary School and Southampton High School, graduating in 1968. As a high school student, he excelled in sports, primarily on the Southampton Mariners football and basketball teams where he, along with his teammates, became known as the “Southampton Legends.”

He then went on to earn a college degree, obtaining a master electrician license, building an electrical business known as “A. Roland Davis Electric.” He was raised at the Davis family home on North Sea Road in Southampton Village, along with his two brothers.

Known as “A.D.”, he had an immense love for music, playing keyboards, and can be remembered with his first band, “A.D. and the Soul Sensations.” His classmates would enjoy a good dance night at the high school. He later joined forces playing percussion all over the East End alongside Vivian and the Merrymakers. The local community and patrons will fondly remember dancing to the Merrymakers in many a venue, most notably the Waterfront at Bay Street in Sag Harbor. He will be further remembered putting together talented musicians to jam and boogie on a parade float in the Southampton Fourth of July parades.

He was a proud member of the Shinnecock Nation, as well as a deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton. He was a trusted member of the church family, and over many years served as electrician of the historic church that dates to 1640.

His family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses at Southampton Hospital, 2nd floor North, who attended to his every need, care, and comfort; as well as to all of his physicians, who the family holds in high esteem; and to the palliative care specialists.

He was predeceased by his parents and brother, Edward (Tish) Davis. He is survived by his brother, Bernard Davis and Bernie’s two children, Bradley Davis (wife Lindsey and their daughters, Ellena and Brianna) and Brittney Davis; his niece, Shonda Campbell; his partner, Geraldine Fanning and her three children, Leah Luzzi (husband Michael and grandson, Michael Henry), Karl Knotoff (wife Ema), and William Knotoff; his uncle Lucius Ware; aunt Evelyn Davis; and many cousins.

The family will receive visitors at Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton on Wednesday, August 7, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with a service being held at the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton on Thursday, August 8, at 11 a.m., followed by interment at Shinnecock Cemetery on the Shinnecock Nation.

Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD, 21741; or to Southampton Village Volunteer Ambulance, 165 Windmill Lane, Southampton, NY, 11968.