From the Hamilton Spectator, November 18, 1932
Canon W.G. Davis, Beloved Pastor of the Beach! - Anglican Church
With almost startling suddenness Canon William G. Davis, beloved, pastor of the Beach Anglican church, passed away at St. Joseph's hospital early last evening. He was a native of England and was in his 65th year.
The late Canon Davis on Thursday at noon seemed to be enjoying the best of health, but in the afternoon he became suddenly ill, and Dr. W. A. Weaver, of Burlington, was called. That evening his removal to St. Joseph's hospital was ordered. Yesterday shortly after 9 o'clock the end came peacefully. The funeral will take place on, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Christ's Church cathedral to Woodland cemetery. The remains will be in Blachford & Wray's funeral chapel until 10 o'clock Monday morning, when, they will be removed to the cathedral, where a Communion service will be held at 10.30 o'clock. The body will then lie in state from 11 until 1.45 o'clock. A service will be conducted at 2 p.m.
Ordained in 1906
The late Canon Davis before entering the ministry was employed by the old W. E. Sanford company and was a member of St. Mark's church choir, Hamilton. He came to Canada from England when a young boy and had been interested in church work all his life. He attended Trinity college, from which he graduated, and in June, 1906, he was ordained to the ministry. His first charge was at the Church of the Redeemer, Stoney Creek, and it was then that he started the Beach mission. A few years later he moved 'to St. James' church, Port Colborne, and later to St. James' church, Guelph. Seven years later ill health compelled him to resign from the Guelph parish, and, after convalescing for some months, he accepted an appointment in November, 1931, to the Beach church, from which he had been absent for 18 years. In less than three months he had collected sufficient funds to pay off the mortgage, and only a month or so ago the mortgage was burned.
Since his return the Beach church, under his guiding hand, has prospered and thrived as never before, and only recently plans were made to remodel and enlarge the present building. Only on Thursday he had spoken enthusiastically of these plans.
The late Canon Davis was considered a genius at organization. He was interested in every branch of the parish work. He also was in charge of a mission in Hamilton and the Anglican church at Aldershot.
By his kindly ways Canon Davis had not only endeared himself to those of his congregation, but also to large numbers outside his charge. His passing comes as a shock to members of the Beach church.
The late Canon Davis is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. L. M. Kanters, of Waukesha, Wis., also two brothers in England and one sister in England and a brother, Robert H. Davis, of Hamilton.
A Friend To All
"Canon Davis was a man who possessed all the qualities that one would expect to find in a Christian: minister of the Gospel," said C. B. Munger, rector's warden of "the Beach church. "He was always ready to administer to all people in distress, both physically and spiritually, regardless of creed, and his place will be hard to fill."
Howard Baine, people's warden, made the following statement: "It was with the greatest shock that members of the Beach parish heard of the death of Canon Davis. He had endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. No matter what the hour of day or night, he was always ready to lend assistance when called upon. No matter what denomination or religious affiliations a person had, Canon Davis was always willing to help them."
Canon W.G. Davis, Beloved Pastor of the Beach! - Anglican Church
With almost startling suddenness Canon William G. Davis, beloved, pastor of the Beach Anglican church, passed away at St. Joseph's hospital early last evening. He was a native of England and was in his 65th year.
The late Canon Davis on Thursday at noon seemed to be enjoying the best of health, but in the afternoon he became suddenly ill, and Dr. W. A. Weaver, of Burlington, was called. That evening his removal to St. Joseph's hospital was ordered. Yesterday shortly after 9 o'clock the end came peacefully. The funeral will take place on, Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock from Christ's Church cathedral to Woodland cemetery. The remains will be in Blachford & Wray's funeral chapel until 10 o'clock Monday morning, when, they will be removed to the cathedral, where a Communion service will be held at 10.30 o'clock. The body will then lie in state from 11 until 1.45 o'clock. A service will be conducted at 2 p.m.
Ordained in 1906
The late Canon Davis before entering the ministry was employed by the old W. E. Sanford company and was a member of St. Mark's church choir, Hamilton. He came to Canada from England when a young boy and had been interested in church work all his life. He attended Trinity college, from which he graduated, and in June, 1906, he was ordained to the ministry. His first charge was at the Church of the Redeemer, Stoney Creek, and it was then that he started the Beach mission. A few years later he moved 'to St. James' church, Port Colborne, and later to St. James' church, Guelph. Seven years later ill health compelled him to resign from the Guelph parish, and, after convalescing for some months, he accepted an appointment in November, 1931, to the Beach church, from which he had been absent for 18 years. In less than three months he had collected sufficient funds to pay off the mortgage, and only a month or so ago the mortgage was burned.
Since his return the Beach church, under his guiding hand, has prospered and thrived as never before, and only recently plans were made to remodel and enlarge the present building. Only on Thursday he had spoken enthusiastically of these plans.
The late Canon Davis was considered a genius at organization. He was interested in every branch of the parish work. He also was in charge of a mission in Hamilton and the Anglican church at Aldershot.
By his kindly ways Canon Davis had not only endeared himself to those of his congregation, but also to large numbers outside his charge. His passing comes as a shock to members of the Beach church.
The late Canon Davis is survived by his wife and one daughter, Mrs. L. M. Kanters, of Waukesha, Wis., also two brothers in England and one sister in England and a brother, Robert H. Davis, of Hamilton.
A Friend To All
"Canon Davis was a man who possessed all the qualities that one would expect to find in a Christian: minister of the Gospel," said C. B. Munger, rector's warden of "the Beach church. "He was always ready to administer to all people in distress, both physically and spiritually, regardless of creed, and his place will be hard to fill."
Howard Baine, people's warden, made the following statement: "It was with the greatest shock that members of the Beach parish heard of the death of Canon Davis. He had endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. No matter what the hour of day or night, he was always ready to lend assistance when called upon. No matter what denomination or religious affiliations a person had, Canon Davis was always willing to help them."