Albert Henry Davis

West Rutland - Albert Henry Davis Sr. (aka Grampy) ,87, of West Rutland and Castleton, VT, passed away May 1st, 2024, after a very long and heroic battle with cancer. He was 87 years young. Albert was born on February 25th, 1937, in Chittenden, Vermont to Edward Warren Davis and Armina Beauregard Davis. He was the 4th of eight siblings.

Albert began an adult life very early on. He cut and carried pulpwood for Killington Mountain and did this for several years. One of his greatest stories that he shared was that he would run from the bottom to the top of Killington Mountain every day to "get ready" for work each morning. This trained tenacity would serve him well in the years to come. In his later teen years, he started working in the West Rutland quarries as a derrick operator. After a brief amount of time, he was promoted to become a core tester.

At the age of 20, Albert married Theresa Mary Dydo, also of West Rutland. They were married on May 4th, 1957, and remained married for almost 45 years. Theresa lost her cancer battle just one day shy of their 45th anniversary. They had two sons, Albert H. Davis Jr. and Edward J. Davis Sr., both of Castleton. Following their marriage, Albert enlisted in the Vermont National Guards.

Albert's work ethic and mechanical aptitude took him on many journeys including a well drilling business. He was known throughout the state as the "water witch" being able to locate sources of water 100% of the time by using the old-fashioned stick method. He prided himself on never drilling a dry well. In 1989, with his lifelong business partner and son Edward, established Davis Water Well Drilling Company. This was just the first of many ventures for these two entrepreneurs. Albert was an avid diesel mechanic and could fabricate any piece of metal. In his retirement years, he again joined his son Edward in the logging and milling industry creating Davis Milling. They have constructed several timber frame homes including the large cabin on Sand Hill Road where he spent the remainder of his life.

Later on, Albert met Beverly Flynn of Poultney and the two became inseparable companions for nearly 14 years until her death in 2018. Together they enjoyed their time with family, travelling to Saratoga, gold panning with his eldest son and wife, and raising "the baby", Daisy Mae Davis - the greatest peek a poo in the world.

Albert is survived by his brother William (Janet) Davis of Windsor Lock, CT; son Albert H. (Teresa) Davis Jr. and Edward J. (Tammy) Davis Sr.; grandchildren Mathew (Kayla), Edward Jr. (Lexie), Joshua (Stephanie), Nathan, and Ryan Davis; several great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews; and a very special adopted son, Jay Lafayette who spent several years in the care of Albert and Theresa.

Also surviving are members of Beverly Flynn's children who loved and treated Albert as their own: Rusty Chapin, Sonya Casey, Randy and Chris Chapin (deceased), Sandy Waite Jones (her deceased husband Sam), Cindy Kennedy (her deceased husband Tim) and their respective families.

Albert was predeceased by his wife Theresa in 2002 and by his siblings: Warren Davis, Robert Davis, Wilford Davis, Katherine Dydo, Margaret Jones, and Hilda Davis. He was also predeceased by his companion Beverly Flynn in 2018.

Albert was kind and gentle in his demeanor and a strong and true Vermonter. Family was important to him and that was pretty much the way he saw it. He would never turn anyone away, and his hands were always helping whether it be hunting, fishing, being an expert dart player or fishing with his son and wife at Black Pond. He was always happiest spending time with friends and family.

Our families would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Bayada hospice team, Dr. Bradley Berryhill, The Rutland Cancer Center, and a very huge special thank you to his friends Minda Vandermindin and case manager Angela Whitehead. They were very special friends to him each one bringing out the biggest "grampy" smile with each visit.

A funeral mass will be held at 11am Saturday May 18, 2024 at Saint Stanislaus Church.

Burial will follow in Saint Stanislaus Cemetery.

A reception will follow at Saint Bridget’s Church in West Rutland.

In lieu of flowers, please send any gifts in kind to The Foley Cancer Center so they may continue their excellent care in helping so many in our community.

Arrangements are under the direction of Clifford Funeral Home.