William T. Davies

February 4, 2023

William “Bill” T. Davies, Jr., 89, of Acton, Massachusetts and former long-time resident of North Haven, Connecticut passed away on Saturday, February 4, 2023. He was the loving husband of Joan Brown Davies and a deeply devoted father, grandfather, and friend.

Born in Youngstown, Ohio on March 19, 1933, he was the son of the late William T. and Gladys (Coombs) Davies. He spent his early childhood in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania until his family relocated to West Hartford, Connecticut, where Bill graduated from the Kingswood School. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio, where he was a member of the Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity. He later earned a master’s degree from Pace University in New York City. Bill also served in the United States Army from 1956 through 1958.

Bill and Joan were married on July 1, 1961 and settled in North Haven, Connecticut. Bill began his career at the Southern New England Telephone Company and later turned an avocation into a second career in the broadcasting industry. After retirement, he and Joan moved to Acton, Massachusetts to be near family.

Bill had deep and diverse interests in music and sports and was an avid rail fan with extensive knowledge of railroad history. He was a long-time amateur radio operator, a traditionalist who used Morse Code and not voice. He was active at Christ Lutheran Church in Hamden, Connecticut and Acton Congregational Church in Acton, Massachusetts. A lifelong volunteer, Bill served on multiple municipal boards including the North Haven Conservation

Commission and committees at Robbins Brook. Bill was executive director of the Farmington Canal Rail Trail in Connecticut and later joined the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail board in Acton. Bill was a skilled writer and editor who contributed those talents to numerous organizations and service groups.

He is survived by his wife Joan, son Craig Davies (Betsy) of St. Paul, Minnesota, and daughter Betsy Davies Mercier (Charles) of Acton, Massachusetts. He also leaves four beloved grandchildren, Matt and Claire Davies and Zach and Katie Mercier.

The family wishes to express gratitude for the care given by Bill’s many doctors, nurses, and caregivers.

A memorial service will be held at the Acton Congregational Church, 12 Concord Rd., Acton, MA on Saturday, March 18 at 11:00am. Burial will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting: Acton Congregational Church, Attn: Music Gift Fund, 12 Concord Road, Acton, MA 01270 or Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, P. O. Box 1192, Concord, MA 01742 https://secure.brucefreemanrailtrail.org/forms/ bill_davies_memorial_fund

To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www. concordfuneral.com