“Strong communities are built on the foundation of unity,

when we support each other, we grow together.”

Mark loved his community dearly and was always there with his support. Maybe he was personally involved, provided a listening ear and assistance, attended the event, or provided financial support – but Mark was usually present and supportive in some way. He always wanted to give back and help those around him – and for that, we should all be truly thankful. He will be deeply missed!

Mark Harvey was an April Fool’s baby, who was welcomed by his proud parents, Harvey Louis and Reta Jane (Maxwell) Davis, on Monday, April 1^st, 1957. He joined older brother, William “Bill” (1955), before the family was made complete with the addition of Joan in 1960. The Davis family resided on the 10^th of Elderslie, where the children enjoyed everything life on the farm had to offer. From a young age, all the Davis children were involved with the Paisley 4-H club and Junior Farmers. I am told there were more than a few stories of “mishaps” during Mark and Bill’s showing days, as they occasionally went to competitions without perhaps putting in all the necessary time needed working with their calves prior. All joking aside, Mark and his siblings quickly learned many valuable traits during these early years, including a variety of leadership qualities.

Mark attended several schools through his youth – even though the Davis family never moved. No, he was not a class clown or menace, but instead the public school system was expanding rapidly, and many students were moved around regularly during the late 60’s and 70’s. However, Mark’s claim to fame during elementary school was that he was so smart he skipped Grade 3… can you believe it? And I am told he never let his sister forget this fact! Right Joan? Lol! At his Grade 8 Graduation, Mark was given the Citizenship Award, a portent to his leadership and community involvement to come. Mark was active in the classroom as well, competing in many sports activities, the field side of track and field, curling, school council, even performing in a school play, becoming school council president in high school while attending Chesley District. However, Mark’s passion for farming was evident from a young age, and he knew that he would be returning home to help Harvey and Bill on the farm following his graduation. Although not a big traveller, I am told Mark, along with several other local farming boys, always enjoyed their vacation south during the winter months. What happened in Barbados, stays in Barbados, right boys???

As many of you know, the Davis family were respected members of the local farming community, with deep roots. Mark and Bill wanted to follow in the footsteps of their grandfather, Louis and father, Harvey. The Davis family had originally started in dairy before transitioning their efforts to the beef industry and cash cropping. By the mid 1970’s both Bill and Mark had returned home to farm full-time with their dad. The Davis farm was not your normal farming operation during this time. They not only bought, fed, and sold their own cattle, but also did the same for many other farmers, as well as processing cattle, all the while working and cropping their own land as well as rented acreage. Life was busy, to say the least, and everyone had their roles. Harvey, and later Bill, were known to push the limits, always showing confidence in their family’s ability to make everything work; whereas Mark was the consistent, dependable force, always keeping things together and operational at home. And Reta, like many farm women of the day, helped with field work, helped process cattle, and then came in and served up meals to any number of people who were working there that day. She also did the farm books and kept the administrative side of the busy operation flowing. Together, the four of them were operating a serious, complicated farming business, all the while holding very different, yet very important roles.

Sadly, Harvey was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1970’s and died at the young age of 46 in 1980. Thankfully, the boys were well-established in the farming industry, however, they still had a lot of learning and growing up to do – and were forced to do it in short order. Reta was a rock and supported her children during this difficult period in their lives, always looking to help any way she could. As with any farming operation, there were many highs and lows through the years, but with their combined knowledge, and support, Mark and Bill continued to push the industry, as well as their family farm ahead in the years following. Each had their own roles and responsibilities, all the while relying on their staff to fill in any remaining gaps. They were succeeding until another obstacle arose around 2000, when Bill became sick. Unfortunately, his story was very similar to Harvey’s, and he passed away in 2002 from cancer. Mark’s world was turned upside down again, and he reorganized the farm once more and downsized. The operation was still large, but he was now dealing with hundreds of cattle instead of thousands, making the farm much more manageable for one operator. He continued feeding cattle until 2010, at which time he turned all his attention to cash-cropping.

Although farming took up much of Mark’s time in his younger years, he was passionate about and involved in a variety of other causes and activities. Mark enjoyed all aspects of the Junior Farmer social scene as a director. He was a committed team member of the Dobbinton Dusters. With good friends like his cousin George Maxwell, James Davey, Les Ribey, and the Elderslie lads, he found time to go across Canada on curling adventures. ‘What happened in Edmonton, stays in Edmonton’. He was a director for the Bruce County Cattleman’s Association, a member of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and committee chair for multiple International Plowing Matches (IPMs) beginning in 1993. In fact, the Davis family’s tie to the IPM runs deep, as Mark’s dad, Harvey was instrumental in bringing our iconic “Big Bruce” to Chesley. In the fall of 1976, at Harvey’s instigation, Big Bruce was a centre-piece in promoting the IPM and Bruce County Beef, travelling across Ontario on a golden trailer before eventually calling Chesley home. In 2008, “Little Bruce” was used to promote the 2008 IPM and auctioned off after the event. Mark purchased Little Bruce, who many of us have seen at local events and parades. The proceeds from Mark’s winning bid went to support the Children’s Hospital in London. Mark has graciously shared Little Bruce with anyone and everyone, promoting the beef industry and Bruce County, all the while spending countless hours attending parades and local events.

Mark became involved with local politics in the 1990’s, as a councillor for the former Elderslie Township. One particular mentor during this period of Mark’s life was Bob Hutchinson. And as the saying goes, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree, as just a few weeks ago, Mark was awarded the Bob Hutchinson Award, as someone who provided exemplary service to his community. At amalgamation, Mark became the 1^st Deputy Mayor of the Municipality of Arran Elderslie. He held this position for multiple terms and helped support three different Mayors. During these years, he sat on a variety of committees. He was the Chair of the building committee for the new Municipal Office, and Chair of the local recreation committee, just to name a couple, but was proudest of his time spent assigned to the works committee as he knew the value ordinary everyday things like safe roads, bridges, and clean water make to us all.

Mark was a proud member of the Kinsmen Club of Chesley, joining the club in 2001. Here, he Co-chaired the Midwestern Agrifair, helped organize several Santa Claus parades, and had his helping hand in countless other events – raising hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been invested back into our community. He donated blood more than 60 times. Other commitments of Mark’s included fundraising for the Chesley Hospital Foundation and the Heart & Stroke and Cancer Societies, as well as sitting on the Board of Directors for several companies. As one can see, he was a busy man with little downtime!

In 1987, Mark obtained his auctioneer license. This provided him with the opportunity to network further within the agricultural world as well as within his community. Over the last 35+ years, Mark has helped countless charities, fall fairs, and a variety of other organizations raise money. He never expected, nor wanted to be compensated, but instead saw it as another way for him to give back to his community. He was a staunch supporter of local fall fairs, 4-H beef clubs, and the Bruce County Heritage Association in Paisley. It should not be a surprise, but Mark owned three antique tractors that were near and dear to him. He owns a Minneapolis Moline, a 1963 Massey – his pulling tractor, and a 1949 John Deere “A” which has been in the family for over 75 years, as it was bought new by his grandfather in Paisley from the Cumming shop.

After Bill died, the Davis’ sold the family home farm, and this was Mark’s first close interaction with a real estate agent. Mark took notice of the time and care this individual provided to him and his family. If the family farm was downsizing, this would provide him with another opportunity to stay active and engaged in business. By May of 2003, Mark was a licensed real estate agent, specializing in selling farms and agricultural properties. His vast knowledge of farming, along with his political and municipal knowledge, provided him with the perfect foundation to excel in this niche. As a farmer himself, Mark knew what sellers and buyers were looking for, and took great pride in trying to come to common ground with both parties. His hard work often paid off, and he became a popular agent amongst farmers and welcomed the successes that came with dedication.

In 2004, while attending the Arran-Tara Fall Fair, Mark reconnected with Carolyn Walker. Carolyn grew up locally, and they spent some time together in their youth. If you want a more entertaining version of this story, just ask Carolyn when you have some time! Their relationship soon blossomed, and Carolyn relocated back closer to home with Mark in 2006. Together, they complimented each other well and enjoyed many of the same hobbies and interests. As Mark had been a long-time bachelor, Carolyn was quick to straighten Mark out – which included disposing of Mark’s Christmas tree. She still laughs to this day, describing the ratty excuse for a tree, which I am told Mark simply put under the stairs, decorated and all, for 11 months of the year. All joking aside, Mark loved Christmas, and particularly the opportunity to spend time with his five nieces and nephews, who he loved dearly. He adored ‘Roo’, ‘Spike’, ‘Monsy Bonsy’, ‘Little Woman’ and ‘Beaver’. Each year, Mark had a “large” stocking prepared for each one of them, filled with an assortment of “crap” …“stuff”. Most items were comical, but there was always a card with an explanation to validate the inclusion of each item, and a turnip! Yes, you read that right – a turnip. Mark took great pride each year, placing money IN the turnip where the kids had to go looking for it. He never made it easy, and often rewaxed the turnip to make it more entertaining. In later years, the money was sometimes cleverly hidden in other items in the stocking, but there was always a turnip. I am sure they will share with you some of the more memorable gifts Uncle Mark gave them through the years. He was so proud of them and the people they have become, and was always there to offer guidance and support when called upon. He was one special uncle!

Mark always liked to have a sharp car, and he enjoyed taking his sports cars out for a spin. His favourite colour was ‘Conservative Blue’ which was handy because it was so close to ‘Coldwell Banker Blue’ and ‘big New Holland tractor blue’.

Honestly though, he was most comfortable at home, with Carolyn, surrounded by their animals and property. He even grew to like horses and made special efforts to have a small field dedicated to ‘horse hay’ for her barn. As most of you know, Mark has experienced several health challenges in recent months and was making the best of each day. Thankfully, with the support of Carolyn, family and friends, the Breakfast Club and the Saturday morning coffee group, Mark was still quite active, and loved socializing and catching up with others, whenever the opportunity presented itself. Sadly, Mark’s condition suddenly worsened last week, and he passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, in London, on Friday, August 22, 2025. He was 68 years old.

Loving partner of Carolyn Walker. Beloved son of Reta Davis of Walkerton and cherished brother of Joan (Dennis) Stewart of Pearl Lake. Mark will be dearly missed by his nieces and nephews: Andy (Courtney), Sarah (Greg), Mike (Logan), Monika (Joe), Steven, and their children, Avery, James, Conor, Cleo, Bruce, and Lucy. He was predeceased by his father, Harvey, and his brother, Bill.

Visitation will be held at the Chesley Community Centre on Friday from 5 – 8 p.m., where a memorial service honouring Mark’s life will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11 a.m., with a reception to follow. Private interment in Chesley Cemetery at a later date.

Mark was a staunch supporter of his community, so please consider donating to the Kinsmen Club of Chesley, of which Mark was a proud member, or the Chesley Hospital Foundation rather than sending flowers.