Harry Lee Davis fell asleep in death at his home in Oxford, Pennsylvania on November 11, 2016. Born on January 12, 1951 in Pamplico, South Carolina, Harry was the first born child to the late Sarah Lee and Cleveland Davis. He was raised in Brooklyn, NY where he met his first wife Janet and had two children Lakala and Emiko. Harry and his second wife Marcia Bliey had two additional children together, Kosiko and Jonathan. He was also the dear step-father to his current wife Esther’s two sons, Maurice and Courtland.

Harry was a true music lover. A largely self-taught bass and acoustic guitarist, he also played the organ, keyboard, and clarinet. He spent hours learning to read music, researching his favorite songs and artists, and transferring his old vintage records into digital formats. He had regular jam sessions with his band of fellow music enthusiasts and was always on the lookout for lost James Brown performances. Funk, blues, R&B, Spanish guitar, classic rock, and modern pop were all in his repertoire.

Harry enjoyed painting for a long period in his life. Several friends and family members are in possession of Harry Davis originals of landscapes, still lifes, and imaginative scenes.

The definition of a bookworm, Harry loved to read from childhood through adulthood. He read and collected comic books, memoirs, mystery novels, and biographies. His extensive reading led him to be an autodidact in many subjects such as history and music. There wasn’t a topic that Harry didn’t know a little about, and there were many in which he knew a lot. Because of his naturally unassuming demeanor, his humble genius was a quiet attribute. But one only had to hold a short conversation with Harry to realize the wealth of knowledge he held.

Harry had a unique and tremendous sense of humor that when sparked, would elicit a laugh from him that was both infectious and up-lifting. Prone to fits of giggles that would make his eyes water, Harry’s laugh was as jolly and hearty and heartwarming as any sound could be.

A decorated and respected firefighter, Harry Lee began his career with the Fire Department of New York at the age of 22 in 1973. Starting at Ladder 103 in Brooklyn, he later moved to Ladder 175 where he earned four Certificates of Merit and an award presented by Mayor Koch in 1984. In 1997, Harry moved to the newly re-established Squad 18 – a unit of elite firefighters trained in specialties to face an increasingly dangerous city with abilities to handle everything from weapons of mass destruction to swift water rescue. Harry was viewed as a mentor and an elder statesmen by many younger firefighters and was respected for his wealth of knowledge about the skill and talent of firefighting. He attended conventions where he taught new techniques to fire departments across the country.

Harry was preceded in death by his sister Wanda Jean and is survived by his wife Esther Davis, his four children Lakala, Kosiko, Emiko, and Jonathan and his wife Valpresious, one grandchild Jonathan Jr., his brother Legrand and his wife Bonnie, sisters Eland and Cynthia, and brother Darryl and his wife Jackie, Shirley, Brenda, Donnell, Marvin, Cleveland, Anthony Cassandra, the late Samuel, along with a hose of other dear relations.

A celebration of Harry’s life will be held at 12pm on Saturday, November 19, 2016 at Singerly Fire Hall, 300 Newark Avenue, Elkton, MD 21921, with a visitation beginning at 11am. Burial will follow at Sharps Cemetery.