Michael John Davis

My childhood was not tough, but it was challenging. My parents divorced when I was five. I barely knew my father. Occasionally homelessness and lack of food would place a burden. It was my mother that taught me how to be tough and adapt, how to fix things and be self-sufficient. Make no mistake, if it were not for the help of many others along the way,

life might have been quite different.

I went on to earn a science teaching degree from Salem State University, a health science master's degree from Northeastern University, and a certificate of special studies in business from Harvard University’s extension school. I’ve had the pleasure of having an eclectic working career… a science teacher at Chelmsford High School and Bristol Community College, a chemist and lab manager at a testing lab in Natick, an instructor that traveled the world for the Foxboro Company, a VP for a start-up, a director for a catalog business, a general manager for a gold company, president and co-owner of promotional product company, project manager for a process control company, and an elected city councilor. Most of the

assignments had one thing in common, fixing organizations through simplification. Learning from nature, the complex can be made simpler and more effective. I wrote a paper called “Simply Complex”. I’ve won awards for process innovation.

Work provided the fuel for life’s real pleasures…family, friendships, adventures, community service, collecting and sharing stories as legacy. Susan and I enjoyed adventuring together. Our travels have taken us around the world to China, Peru, Iceland, India, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Cuba, North Sea, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, the Antarctic and throughout

Europe, 38 countries on all seven continents. I’ve always enjoyed taking calculated risks like hiking Mt. Katahdin, scaling 1,300’ rockface in the Andes, ziplining in Peru, flying in a jet at 450MPH doing barrel rolls at 4.8G’s and kayaking in an Icelandic fjord and among whales in the Antarctic. My other interests included fixing things, construction, hiking, genealogy, reading books, writing stories, yardwork, helping others, and community service. One friend once said, “the guy is always moving”, a moniker I proudly wore.

There have been approximately 15,000 generations of modern humans. I am but a twig in the many branches of my ancestry. Like those that came and went before me, I will eventually be forgotten. But, hopefully, my DNA, minor contributions, and some stories will go on to blend with others adding to the legacy of humanity.

..........................................................

If you want to learn more about the life of Mike Davis, consider reading his memoir of stories, available on Amazon.com: "Stories of a Lifetime" by Michael John Davis. Summary: Today, the life expectancy of a male in the US is about 77 years. While 77 years seems like a long time, it goes by in a flash. Before me there were approximately 12,000 generations of Homo sapiens. I wish I knew the stories of all of my ancestors. I gauge a life well lived, by the stories collected along the way, not in years or things accumulated. "Stories of a Lifetime" is a project born out of the desire to leave memories behind for my kids, grandkids and their grandkids. These are short, 1-3-page stories of adventure, humor, challenge, and everyday life. After all, we are our stories.