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Ernest Joseph Davis, known as “Ernie,” of Weshampton Beach died on April 18. He was 80. He was born in Port Jefferson on November 23, 1934, into one of the oldest families on Long Island, dating back to the 1600s. His forebearer Jasper Corey settled in Southold in 1640, and the Davis family settled in Blue Point in 1780. For centuries the Davis name has been associated with Long Island landmarks—Davis Park on Fire Island; Davis Field, now called The Bayport Aerodrome at Davis Field in Bayport; and Corey Beach and Corey Park in Blue Point. Barteau, Corey and Davis Avenues, and Curtis Road at Corey Creek, were all part of the Davis Farm.
Mr. Davis embodied the best of classic Long Island culture, survivors said. Steeped in the practices and heritage of fishing, shellfishing, waterfowling, upland game and deer hunting, he was a master outdoorsman and waterman. His love for the outdoors and wildlife was his passion. He could instantly recognize the whistle of a wood duck 200 yards deep into the marsh, spot a striped bass in the flats, and call in a distant flock of geese. He talked lovingly of taking his boat out through Shinnecock Inlet with his wife, Diane, and Roxy, his Labrador, and fishing for fluke with his grandchildren.
He was a dedicated lifelong member of the following organizations: Pattersquash Duck Hunting Club in Bellport Bay, a director of the St. Regis Hunting and Fishing Club in the Adirondacks, the Peconic River Sports Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, and the Westhampton Beach Yacht Squadron. He was also a parishioner of the Immaculate Conception Church on Quiogue. Mr. Davis graduated from the New York Military Academy and served with the U.S. Army in Fort Bliss, Texas.
Mr. Davis was a well-known building mover on Long Island. Survivors said he was a true gentleman—his contract was a handshake; the handshake was his bond. His trademark quote to prospective clients was, “Put a glass of water on the table in your house, and if it spills during the move, you don’t have to pay me a cent.” In more than 60 years of moving buildings, he never spilled a drop. The bigger the challenge of the move, the more he enjoyed it—and he always succeeded, survivors said.
Mr. Davis and his late brother Curtis “Bud” Davis owned a third-generation building moving business, Davis Brothers Engineering, based in Blue Point.
He is survived by his wife, Diane; son, Brett; daughters, Ellen and husband Steve, and Heather and husband Mark; and grandchildren, Kelsey, Jodie, Jake, Kristin, Holly, Baron, Daisy and Violet. He is also survived by two sisters, Jane and Lillian. His nephew Guy Davis continues the family legacy as the fourth generation of building movers.
A funeral Mass was held Wednesday, April 22, at 10 a.m. at the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Follett and Werner Funeral Home in Westhampton Beach. Memorial donations may be made to the Quogue Wildlife Refuge, www.quoguewildliferefuge.org, or a charity of choice.
on Apr 21, 2015