Obituary of James "Jim" Parker Davis

DAVIS, James “Jim” Parker – Age 76, of Bridgewater. Passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the South Shore Regional Hospital, Bridgewater, after a brief illness with cancer. He was surrounded by loved ones.

Born July 20, 1948, in Halifax, Jim grew up in Bedford. He attended Halifax Vocational School, King’s Collegiate School in Windsor, and graduated from St. Mary’s University, B. Comm., 1977. Jim pursued a career in banking and accounting, having worked a number of years for CIBC, BNS and DuPont, as a cost accountant. He was the Comptroller of the Halifax YMCA for a number of years and finally, the Treasurer of Davis Properties Ltd. 

Jim loved politics and was immersed in it his whole life, right up to the time of his death. He was born a Liberal and died a Liberal. Deeply involved in the Liberal Party, Jim held a number of executive roles, including Vice President Provincial, a member of the NSLP Audit Committee, and Financial Agent for several federal elections, which he received a letter of commendation from Elections Canada on his retirement, for the great work he had accomplished. This was a great source of pride for him. He was unfailingly firm on following the rules and the law. Those values carried over into his day-to-day life, as he was a man of integrity, honesty and humility. He was unable to tell a lie; an honest politician. 

The greatest tragedy of his life was the loss of his son, Cpl. Paul Davis PPCLI, who was killed in Afghanistan, in 2006. Jim was compelled to a higher calling to carry out his son’s legacy. Through this tragedy, he became a founding member of the military bereavement group, H.O.P.E., a peer-to-peer bereavement group, organized to offer support to families of fallen soldiers by those who have also experienced the loss of a loved one in the military. He was a member for 19 years until his death. He was recognized for his volunteer work with H.O.P.E. and was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, which he received on March 8, 2025.

Jim loved a challenge and was afraid of nothing. He cherished canoeing and camping in Kejimkujik National Park’s back-country and exploring every logging road in Nova Scotia he could find with his Jeep. He had a great love for animals, especially his dog, Maverick, a large & fluffy Alaskan Malamute, and Larry, the cat. Jim enjoyed his daily dog walks around town, rain-or-shine (however one might question who was walking who). He would frequently take Maverick in the jeep, down the LaHave River, to roam Crescent Beach, which he loved.

Jim was the son of the late, Paul T. Davis and L. Mildred (Cann) Davis. He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon (Phillips) Davis; son, Craig; daughter, Laura (Dominic Carroll); sister, Elizabeth (Michael) Murray; granddaughters, Julia Davis and Malia Davis; and daughter-in-law, Melanie Dyck. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, Jim was predeceased by son, Cpl. Paul Davis PPCLI; and brothers, Frank and William Davis.

A Memorial Service will be held Monday, April 14, 2025, 2 P.M., in Bridgewater United Church, Bridgewater, with Rev. Kim Curlett officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service in the Bridgewater United Church hall. Private family interment will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to S.H.A.I.D. Tree Animal Shelter. Arrangements entrusted to Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater.

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