Michael J. Davin of Oak Bluffs died peacefully at home on April 25, with family by his side. He was 85.
Michael was born on October 3, 1928, in Rochester, New York, to Elizabeth and Raymond Davin. After graduating from Hobart College, he served for five years in the U.S. Navy, first as a Gunnery Officer aboard the USS Turner. Later he was an instructor at the Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where he met his wife Ruth (Burns), who was a Lieutenant JG also stationed in Newport.
After Mike and Ruth married in 1956, Mike started a long and successful career in the publishing industry. His first employment was with McGraw-Hill in advertising sales in New York. When he began servicing accounts in Philadelphia, the Davins moved to New Jersey, and then Devon, Pennsylvania, where his children spent most of their childhood years. Mike was a loving father who was actively involved in his children’s lives. Although he traveled extensively for work, he found time to cheer them on at their games, attend their orchestra concerts, and lead fundraising events for the marching band.
As a successful salesman for McGraw-Hill, Mike was promoted to District Sales Manager which eventually led to his employment as Regional Vice President for Chilton Company. Later he became publisher of Chilton’s Automotive Engineering and Food Engineering magazines. He was the recipient of the 1972 “Media Man of the Year” award presented by Eastern Industrial Advertisers, and he was a leader and active member of the Business/Professional Advertising Association. When Mike and his wife moved to Martha’s Vineyard full-time in 1994, he continued his work in advertising sales and publishing. He also earned his real estate license and joined Hughes and Sollitto Real Estate in Vineyard Haven. He later joined Island Real Estate and was an active realtor until a week before his death.
Mike was actively involved in the East Chop community and his church. He and Ruth loved to entertain in their home. Mike was a sociable and cheerful man who loved to laugh and a generous friend and neighbor.
Michael was predeceased by his beloved wife in January of 2014. He is survived by his brother Terrence Davin of Pittsford, N.Y., son Thomas Davin and his wife, Molly, of Newport Beach, California, son James Davin of Oak Bluffs and his girlfriend, Kirsten Congdon, and Katie Davin and her spouse, Sandra Davin, of Warwick, Rhode Island. He is also survived by his five grandchildren, Meredith, Jack, Caroline, Daniel, and Lexi.
Visiting hours in the Chapman, Cole and Gleason Funeral Home, Edgartown Road, Oak Bluffs will be held on Sunday, May 4, from 3 to 5 pm. His funeral mass will be celebrated in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Massasoit Ave., Oak Bluffs on Monday, May 5 at 10 am. His burial will be held privately in the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne.
Donations in Michael’s memory may be made to Good Shepherd Parish, PO Box 1058, Vineyard Haven, MA 02568 or to Angel Flight Northeast, 492 Sutton Street, North Andover, MA 01845.
