|
 Sept 17 , 2005
Brian P. Davis died Sept. 17, 2005 in UMass Memorial Hospital, Worcester, at 47, after an illness.
Mr. Davis had served as a capital giving officer at Holy Cross. Previously, he had worked in admissions at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Becker College in Worcester and the University of California, Los Angeles.
Mr. Davis had been involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Alliance; he assisted with its slogan, "Don't Give Up The Fight." He had also been active in sports, playing basketball and serving as a referee at many area schools.
A graduate of North High School in Worcester, Mr. Davis had attended graduate school at Indiana University.
He is survived by his wife, Paula; a son; a daughter; two brothers; an uncle; and several nephews and nieces.
College president emeritus, Rev. John E. Brooks, S.J., '49, offers the following tribute to Brian Davis:
I first gained insight into the character of Brian Davis when I participated more than a year ago in The Walk to Cure Cancer in Worcester, and heard Brian passionately address 7,000 committed walkers. At the time, Brian himself was fighting pancreatic cancer. Delivering his legendary exhortation, "Don't give up the fight!" to fellow cancer patients, Brian was indeed a source of strength and courage for many.
In an eloquent commentary in the Sept. 23, 2005 edition of the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, UMass Medical Center researcher, Dr. Dario Altieri, noted that Brian had become the spokesperson for the local Pancreatic Cancer Alliance. Until his death in September 2005, Brian was a witness to hope and a voice of love for those men and women coping with pancreatic cancer.
The late German Jesuit theologian, Karl Rahner, S.J., taught that there is no path to God except through sharing in the cross of Christ. In laboring throughout his own illness to support and encourage his fellow cancer patients, Brian embraced that same cross, and, in doing so, came to know and experience his loving God. May Brian now rest in the peace of the Lord.
|
