Built Park Colony and Greenbriar Estates
Published in the December 3, 2015 edition
NORTH ANDOVER — Franklin Stan Davis, age 94, of North Andover, formerly of North Reading, died peacefully on Sunday, November 30. Stan, as he was always known, was a lifelong pilot and a skilled and successful entrepreneur.
The son of John and Marie Davis, he was born in Reading and spent his early years there. He graduated from Reading High School, and was well-known locally for both his red hair and his band “Red Davis and his Orchestra,” in which he played saxophone. He attended Penn State, leaving after two years to join the Navy. He served as a pilot and flight instructor in the South Pacific during World War II, with Red Sox great Ted Williams as one of his students. He returned home with a love of flying that he would never lose. Upon his return he started his own crop dusting business, then moved on to create an aerial advertising firm, perhaps the first one in New England. He survived several plane crashes, including one in which his plane lost an engine over Boston Harbor.
He worked briefly as a commercial pilot for Northeast Airlines, but his independent spirit and love of business led him to become a sales manager for Wynn’s Car Care products. In 1960 he opened his own Wynn’s distributorship, and was the New England distributor for 12 years. He managed a large fleet of salesmen, and won many awards for sales.
In 1965 he brought Kentucky Fried Chicken to New England by opening the first franchise in Stoneham. He eventually expanded the operation to six stores. No party at the Davis household (and there were many, as Stan loved a good party) was complete without Kentucky Fried Chicken and all the fixings. However, his interest in real estate was stronger than his interest in the food business, and he sold his chicken stores and bought an apartment building in Woburn. In the early 1970s he developed and built his first apartment complex, the 150-unit Park Colony, in North Reading. In 1973 he constructed Greenbriar, a 187-unit complex also in North Reading. He created a unique octagonal building at Greenbriar that would be his office for the rest of his life and took the unusual step of carpeting the walls of the building as well as the floor because he thought it would be interesting.
In the early 1980s he bought a decaying former textile mill in Newburyport and turned it into affordable housing. The building, which was constructed as one of New England’s first steam-powered mills in 1843, opened as the James Steam Mill in 1983 (then Governor Michael Dukakis came to the opening), and still houses low-income and disabled residents today.
He tried retirement for a short time in the late 1980s and hated it. He went on to develop numerous residential housing complexes in North Andover, including Phillips Common, Cobblestone Crossing and Foxwood. He also built his French-provincial style North Andover home, as well as his previous North Reading house, a unique California-style structure that was recently featured in the Boston Globe’s “My First Home” column. He also owned, at various times, a shopping center in Cranston, RI, an outlet mall in Kittery, Maine and a hotel in Keene, NH.
Stan married his first wife, Jeanne Marie (Whitney) of Wakefield in 1951, and was the father of two daughters, Marilyn and Carolyn. Jeanne predeceased him in 2000, and in 2003 he married Marguerite Lorraine (Trembley) of North Reading, owner of the former Abbey Bridal Shop in Andover, and became a stepfather to her son Gary Trembley, also of North Reading, and was predeceased by her daughter Lisa Trembley of Andover.
Stan was a huge car buff, and owned many sports and classic cars throughout his life. He treasured an article in which Andover native Jay Leno is quoted as saying “When I was in high school some…guy bought a Lamborghini Espada and drove through town…I knew someday I’d have to have one.” Stan was that “guy,” and the Lamborghini was one he found on a trip to Italy and had shipped back home. He created Greenbriar Classic Motors to buy and sell cars and owned numerous Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. He was also an active member and leader of the New England Rolls-Royce Club, the Yankee Lady, for many years.
Stan owned many airplanes throughout his life, and was never happier than when he was behind the controls. He brought to life the humorous bumper sticker “Dog is my co-pilot,” as there was almost always a canine friend riding shotgun next to him. He flew cross-country and to Florida by himself numerous times, and piloted a twin-engine Beechcraft Baron until well into his eighties.
Stan was the life of every party, and never stopped thinking of new business ventures or mentoring those who wanted his assistance in their own. He was a popcorn fanatic, and was extremely proud of a corn-shaped popcorn dish he patented, complete with a napkin-holder handle and slot for a miniature salt shaker (he was incensed when Morton’s stopped making the tiny salt shakers).
Stan is survived by his wife, Marguerite Lorraine (Trembley) Davis; his daughter Marilyn Archibald, son–in–law, David, and grandchildren Cameron, Hunter and Tess of West Newbury; daughter Carolyn Leighton, son-in-law James, and granddaughter Jeanmarie of Amherst, NH; stepson Gary Trembley of North Reading; sister Priscilla Lynn of Peabody, a nephew, nieces, grandnieces and many friends. He was predeceased by his first wife Jeanne Marie (Whitney) Davis and stepdaughter Lisa Trembley. Everyone who knew Stan will remember and treasure him as an absolute one–of–a–kind.
Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, December 4, 2015 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Cataudella Funeral Home, 126 Pleasant Valley St. Methuen. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Ridgewood Cemetery, North Andover. Those who prefer may make donations in his memory to Alzheimer’s Association. 480 Pleasant St. Watertown, MA 02472. www.alz.org/manh For directions or to send condolences please visit www.cataudellafh.com.
