Obituary of Angus Ward Davis

It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Angus Davis.

Angus was born in 1937, in Nelson. His mother was a beautiful Italian immigrant nurse, with a compelling story of her own, and his father, Angus Davis Sr., was 25 years older than her and already an accomplished mining engineer and WWI hero.

Angus was the youngest of 4 children and jokes that his 3 older sisters (Mary, Giovanna and Paulette) taught him how to work well with strong women. As his father was 60 when Angus was born, he was largely raised by a single mother.

Angus found the love of his life when he was twenty and in Nelson – the beautiful and sassy dental assistant, Arline. Introduced by family friends, the romance blossomed. When asked what first caught her eye about Angus, Arline said, he was a tall man, with a “nice” walk and easy smile. She would watch out the dentist’s window to spot him striding down the street after his workday. Angus and Arline had a love story built on faith, devotion, and finding the humour in everyday occurrences, and last Tuesday they commemorated their 64^th wedding anniversary (June 6^th, 2023).  

Angus’ career led the duo to Fraser Lake with his management position as the new Endako Mine opened. Arline’s support of this move wavered once they reached the new dream-location… with muddy dirt roads and new barracks-type housing for the mine workers, instead of amenities like Nelson and Cranbrook. She cried. Angus promised they would only stay one year, but they quickly loved the town, the people, the church community, and raising their family in Fraser Lake for over 35 years. Speaking of family, their first-born son, Angus Davis (III) arrived in 1963, followed two years later by Alan, and another 4 years when Jennifer arrived.

As many know, Angus faced a difficult time in his life when his drinking turned into an addiction. While Angus stopped drinking in the mid-70s (completely stopped drinking, and never touched a drop after) he was unfailing in his weekly commitment to Alcoholics Anonymous, and his absolute devotion to Arline for standing with him, calling him on his BS, and helping him become the version of himself he aspired to be.

Angus was always happy to help someone in need and serve the community, which led him to become the mayor of Fraser Lake for 12 years. This passion remained as he and Arline followed their roots and retired to Cranbrook, where Angus was a three-term Councilor with the City. Angus made many connections with his volunteer work with the Catholic Church, the Historic Society, and the Storytellers, to name a few.

Angus brightened everyone’s day.

After several years when both Angus and Arline dealt with dementia, Angus was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed one week later.  Angus was surrounded by his children and his wife.

WISHES: Angus was devoted to bringing happiness to his wife Arline, often commenting that her love saved his life. In lieu of travelling to an in-person celebration, Angus requests you use your time to stop in and visit Arline whenever you are in Fernie (Rocky Mountain Village). In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the BC Cancer Society. And the family would love it if you enjoyed, and contributed your own thoughts and stories, to the online memorial. Angus-davis.forevermissed.com

APPRECIATION: The family wants to acknowledge the incredible staff in the Fernie long-term care home who care for our parents like they are family. Their medical skills combined with devotion to dignity and compassion, are unparalleled.