DEDICATED DECADES OF HIS LIFE
TO OPERATION OPEN HEART
Dave Davies passed away at the Lorain Hospice Center this morning – losing his long battle against Cancer. Davies was 51.
Davies was employed by the city of Elyria for much of his life overseeing the Waste Water Treatment Plant and although he was a member of numerous organizations throughout the area he will be best known for his decades of volunteer service to Operation Open Heart.
Open Heart was formed by Ohio State Patrol Trooper David Harper formed in 1962. Harper, being an orphan himself, wanted to show these children, who were placed in the court system, that Policemen were their friends, and not someone to fear. Davies joined Harper and others soon after as more and more kids were involved in the program.
Davies was fondly refered to as “Dr. Fluffle” by the kids because he was the one in charge of making sure the kids took their medicine and tended to any minor injuires during the week long event.
In July of 2008 Davies missed participating in the event due to his battle with Cancer, it was the first time he had missed the event in 27 years says Trooper AJ Torres. Torres, also a long time member of Open Heart and friend of Davies. Torres remembers each year Davies would line the kids up and lay out their medicine. “That was one of his jobs to make sure that the kids who had to take medicine did and he was strict with them about it but still made it fun for them and the kids loved him. He will be sorely missed by the kids and by all of the Officers who worked with him on the project.”
In 2008 Torres said that the group wanted to do something special for Davies since he was unable to participate – so they paid him a visit. While moving from a lunch spot returning to their camp grounds, the motorcade of Police and kids made a special stop at Davies Elyria Township home. “He was really moved by the gesture and all the kids stood there in his driveway yelling Get Well Soon Dr Fluffle, that meant a lot to him. The project and the kids meant so much to him.”
Funeral Details:
The family of Dave Davies will receive friends on Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Richard J. Reidy funeral home – 1783 E. 31st Street in Lorain.
Friends may also pay their respects on Thursday at St. Jude’s Church from 10 a.m. until the mass begins at 11.
Burial will follow the mass immediately at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions are made to either New Life Hospice – 5255 North Abbe Road, Elyria or Operation Open Heart – PO Box 1406, Elyria, Ohio 44035.