Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/22/12
From Staff Reports and Press Releases
The Philly lacrosse community is mourning the death of Matthew James Davis, 28, of Kennett Square, a former lacrosse player at Garnet Valley and Misericordia University, who died Saturday, March 17, of injuries suffered when he was struck by a car on Baltimore Pike near his home.
Mr. Davis was trying to retrieve his dog, Bella, who had run across the road. Reports said He had raised the three-year-old American Staffordshire terrier since she was a puppy.
Mr. Davis graduated from Garnet Valley High School in 2002 and was a standout lacrosse player. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Misericordia College in Dallas, Pa., where he was a four-year letterwinner on the lacrosse team.
After graduating from college, Mr. Davis taught mostly special-needs students in the Garnet Valley School District and coached junior varsity lacrosse there. He later played for the Gryphons Lacrosse Club, a post-collegiate team.
Mr. Davis was an Eagle Scout with Troop 260 in Concordville. He enjoyed kayaking, bow hunting, and fishing. As a member of the Brotherhood of the Jungle Cock, he taught disadvantaged children in Chester County how to fish.
The morning he died, Mr. Davis was helping a friend teach lacrosse to 10-year-olds.
Mr. Davis then worked in sales with Omni Cable before joining Verizon as an account manager with Verizon Communications in 2009.
In 2010, his sales achievements won him membership in Verizon’s President’s Club, ranking him 2nd in the country.
Born in Bethel Twp., PA, he resided in Kennett Square the past 3 years previously residing in Concord Twp., PA.
In his younger years, he became the 68th Eagle Scout of Troop 260. Mr. Davis was known as the life of the party as well as a caring, compassionate, funny and loving young man. He always had a smile on his face and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone.
He also loved animals and helped raise many dogs, cats and rabbits.
Davis is survived by his parents Beckie and Jim Davis of Glen Mills, PA; brother Zach Davis and wife Syreeta; nephew, Dylan Davis.
Services: Saturday 10 AM at the Pagano Funeral Home, 3711 Foulk Rd., Garnet Valley, PA.
Visitation: Friday 6 to 9 PM and Saturday 8:30 to 10 AM at the Pagano Funeral Home, Garnet Valley, PA.
Interment: Elam Cemetery, Glen Mills, PA.
Contributions: BSA Troop 260, c/o Eric Roth, 99 Concord Meeting Rd., Glen Mills, PA 19342 or Brandywine Conservancy, P.O. Box 141, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 in support of environmental programs.
