Paul Davidian Davis

WORCESTER: On July 18, 2026, Paul Davidian Davis passed away peacefully at Rose Monahan Hospice at the age of 97, after a courageous battle with prostate cancer.

Paul often said he was the luckiest man in the world. In truth, those fortunate enough to know him were the lucky ones. He possessed a rare gift for making every person feel valued, welcomed, and important. His warmth, kindness, humor, and genuine interest in others left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Paul was born in Worcester, Massachusetts, on February 24, 1929, the only surviving child of John Davidian Davis and Rose (Iskouhi Torigian) Davis. His parents were survivors of the Armenian Genocide. After enduring years of hardship and separation, unaware of each other's fate for more than a decade, they were eventually reunited in France through word of mouth, immigrated to the United States, and settled in Worcester. Their remarkable story of perseverance and resilience profoundly shaped Paul's life and values.

Paul graduated from Commerce High School in 1948, serving all four years as class president. More importantly, it was there, in photography class, that he met the love of his life and future wife, Barbara Michaelian.

While still a junior in high school, Paul enlisted in the Naval Reserve. At the outbreak of the Korean War, he was called to active duty and served as a photographer with the Atlantic Fleet Camera Party based in Norfolk, Virginia. Among his most memorable assignments was photographing proficiency firing of the famed battleship, the USS Missouri.

Paul and Barbara were married in Worcester on June 10, 1951, and honeymooned during their drive from Massachusetts to Virginia. Following his discharge from the Navy, they returned to Worcester, where Paul resumed his education at Worcester State University through the GI Bill. He worked as a wedding photographer on weekends while helping in his parents' neighborhood store. One summer, he and Barbara, together with friends, operated the Revere Hotel at Nantasket Beach.

Paul became a proud alumnus of Worcester State, earning his bachelor's degree in 1957 and a master's degree in education in 1959. He began his teaching career as a social studies teacher at West Boylston Junior-Senior High School. In 1962, he was appointed Director of Audio-Visual Education at Worcester State College. Under his leadership, the department expanded significantly, introducing undergraduate and graduate programs in media communications and adding multiple faculty positions. Today, the department is known as the Communications Department.

Committed to lifelong learning, Paul continued his graduate studies and earned his doctorate in education from University of Massachusetts in 1975. He later achieved the rank of full professor and served as department chairman for seven years. He was also recruited to teach through the International Overseas Education Program. Accompanied by Barbara, he traveled to Mexico, Italy, and the Dominican Republic, teaching graduate courses to educators during several summers abroad.

After 35 years in higher education, Paul retired as Professor Emeritus in 1992. In the fall of 2025, he was honored with Worcester State University's Distinguished Alumni Service Award in recognition of his outstanding service and lifelong dedication to the institution that meant so much to him.

Paul was deeply proud of his Armenian heritage. He and Barbara traveled to Turkey, where they walked in the footsteps of his parents and visited their ancestral village, Chorkale. At his beloved Armenian Church of Our Saviour, he served on the Parish Council, chaired the Men's Club, and taught Sunday School for many years. He also became the church's unofficial photographer, documenting countless events and celebrations.

Paul was an active member of the Knights of Vartan for more than forty years and served two terms on the advisory board of the National Association for Armenian Studies and Research. His commitment to preserving Armenian history led him to participate in educational programs throughout Worcester's public and parochial schools, helping future generations understand the Armenian Genocide. He also devoted countless hours assisting members of the Armenian community with immigration paperwork and navigating the often-complex process of coming to the United States.

Paul's commitment to service extended well beyond his Armenian community. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and dedicated countless hours to volunteer work throughout Central Massachusetts.

For several years, he taught photography classes at the Ionic Avenue Boys Club and the Worcester Youth Detention Center. He served on the advisory board of the Salvation Army and continued volunteering there well into his later years. He introduced all of his children and grandchildren to the tradition of assisting with the Salvation Army's annual holiday toy distribution program. Following retirement, he volunteered with the Audio Journal, reading the Worcester Telegram & Gazette for visually impaired listeners. He was also a longtime supporter of Veterans Inc. and veterans' organizations throughout the region, including organizing the annual placement of hundreds of American flags on veterans' graves before Memorial Day.

Paul leaves behind his adored wife, Barbara (Michaelian) Davis. On June 10 of this year, they celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary. Their devotion to one another was evident to all who knew them. Throughout their marriage, Paul encouraged and supported Barbara in all her endeavors. In recent years, as Barbara's dementia has progressed, he served as her steadfast anchor, providing unwavering love, patience, and care.

The center of Paul's universe was his family. He will be deeply missed by his son, Bryan Davis and his “Daughter-in-Love”, Joan (Moran) Davis, his daughter, Pamela Davis, and her partner, Peter Prinzivalli, He also leaves his beloved grandchildren: Megan Davis - Bencal and her husband, Matt Bencal, Meredith Davis and her husband, Seth Rosen, Kevin Bickford and his wife, Amanda (DuPere) Bickford, Alexandra Markello and her wife, Alicia Hetrick, and Ross Markello and his wife, Elizabeth DuPre.

Nothing brought a smile to his face faster than his great grandchildren, twins Avery and Madison Bencal, Jack and Juliana Rosen, Kallie and Paige Bickford, and Quinn Markello.

He also leaves behind many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins; his "adopted daughter," Ruth (Eisenberg) Serino, and her husband, Michael; his extended family, the "Moran clan"; and his dear lifelong friends, Irene and Evans Tsoules.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother-in-law, Peter Michaelian (Norma + MaryAnn); and his sister-in-law, June Jardarian (Mike).

As a father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Paul was a constant source of encouragement, wisdom, and support. Whether driving to Melrose to babysit, caring for a sick grandchild, attending sporting events, or simply being present for life's important moments, nothing brought him greater joy than seeing his family thrive. He could always be found in the audience, on the sidelines, or behind a camera, proudly cheering them on.

Some of Paul's happiest moments were spent gathered around the table with family and friends, either in Worcester or at his beloved home in West Dennis. These occasions were filled with laughter, storytelling, delicious food, (a martini or two) and treasured memories. He often remarked that his heart was overflowing when his family was together.

Paul could fix almost anything. Long before recycling became commonplace, he found ways to repurpose and restore items that others would have discarded. He was a gifted artist, both behind a camera and with pen and paper. He loved people and appreciated the unique gifts each person brought to the world. Blessed with a booming and unmistakable voice, he was a natural storyteller whose jokes and stories delighted generations.

Curious and adventurous by nature, Paul embraced life fully. He traveled extensively with Barbara and often with children and grandchildren in tow. Among his favorite adventures were skydiving on his 80th birthday and flying in a biplane that performed loops and dives—an experience he relished from beginning to end. He also spent years working alongside his cousin Robert Andonian, on a remarkable project combining two vintage Piper Cub J-3 aircraft into one functioning plane that continues to fly today.

The Davis family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Bradley Switzer, and the infusion nurses at Reliant Medical Group, the compassionate and loving staff of Rose Monahan Hospice Home in Worcester, and the VNA Hospice team. Your exceptional care, kindness, and dedication greatly enriched Paul's quality of life, and your support will never be forgotten. He loved you all and deeply appreciated each of you.

A life defined by faith, family, service, and love, Paul leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all who were fortunate enough to know him.

Visiting Hours will be held 3 until 6PM on Sunday, August 2, in the Callahan, Fay & Caswell Funeral Home, 61 Myrtle St., Worcester. A Dan Gark Service will be held at 5:30PM during visiting hours. A Funeral Service will be held at 11AM on Monday, August 3, in the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury St., Worcester. Burial will follow in Hope Cemetery.

In keeping with Paul's lifelong spirit of generosity, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Armenian Church of Our Saviour, 87 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609, or to the Paul and Barbara Davis Scholarship Fund at Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602, or Rose Monahan Hospice Home, 10 Judith Road, Worcester MA 01602. Online condolences may be placed at www.callahanfay.com