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Farewell to a “Happy” man
Lynne Mowbray
A huge crowd gathered at the Maclean Showground on Monday morning to farewell one of the Clarence Valley’s much loved characters, Ray “Happy” Davis.
Mr Davis was killed in a horsing accident a week ago and his untimely death sent shock-waves throughout the community.
Friends and associates of Mr Davis travelled from around NSW and interstate to attend Monday’s memorial service, which was a tribute and celebration of his life.
President of the Maclean Show Society Brian Ferrie said that Mr Davis was always a tireless worker behind the scenes and a life member of the show society.
“Happy was involved with the show, all of his life and he was probably the fourth generation of (Davis family) volunteers (who worked) with the show,” said Mr Ferrie.
“He WAS happy – an amazing legend.”
Mr Davis was also very involved with the working dog trials and campdrafts and according to Mr Ferrie, he has been on a horse almost all of his life.
“Happy was a friend to everyone, an amazing guy and he left behind a wonderful family.”
Clarence Valley Mayor Richie Williamson was honoured to be asked by the family of Mr Davis, to be the master of ceremonies, for the celebration of his life, on Monday.
“Happy had many, many friends and I was fortunate to be one of them,” he said.
“Last week during our council meeting, a motion of condolence was moved, for the endless days and months of volunteering (by Mr Davis), for which the council is most grateful for and his input and smiling face is sadly missed.”
“He was a bloody good man taken too early,” said Mr Williamson.
Mr Davis’s daughter Endessa said that only recently her father had told her that if he died tomorrow, there was nothing that he regretted.
“Dad reiterated his final wishes many times over, so that we knew his final wishes when his time was up.”
Mr Davis told his daughter: ‘if I died tomorrow I don’t want people to be sad – I want them to be F….. happy.’
“Dad said that he didn’t want anyone to cry but instead wanted everyone to have a good time and celebrate (his life),” said Endessa.
“Dad wanted everyone to just remember him for what he was and who he was.”
Mr Davis is survived by his three children, Mitch, Scott and Endessa.