BRUNSWICK -- Norman A. Davis of Harpswell, and Sarasota, Fla., died Aug. 8, 2007, at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick after a valiant, decade-long battle with COPD and asbestosis. He was 80.

Born in Brunswick on Dec. 20, 1926, he was the seventh of 12 children of Myer and Sara (Sadie) Davis. Davis graduated from Brunswick High School in 1944, and then went to the Maine Maritime Academy where he completed the four-year curriculum in two years, graduating in the Engineering class of 1946. He went to sea as a Merchant Marine from 1946 to 1948, then returned to Brunswick to attend Bowdoin College for a year. He returned to sea from 1949 to 1954, joined the U.S. Navy from 1954 to 1955, and went back to sea again from 1955 to 1959.

He finally came ashore in 1960 and opened the Rustic Cabin on Union Street, a popular local bar that he owned and operated for 10 years. When he sold the business in 1972, he opened Norman A. Davis Real Estate in Topsham. While in the real estate business, he was the driving force behind creation of the Brunswick area's first multiple listing service (MLS) which became known as the Merrymeeting MLS. He retired from real estate in 1992.

Active in his community, he was a member of the Kiwanis, Rotary, Masons, American Legion Post 202 in Topsham, and the local Chamber of Commerce, serving on its board of directors. He also served on a Town of Brunswick committee that was convened to rewrite the town's charter.

The welfare of children was important to him. He served as chairman of the original group that initiated the Fourth of July activities for children at the Brunswick mall, a tradition that continues to this day, and he opted to forego the annual holiday party held by his fellow real estate brokers and instead adopted a needy family for whom he bought gifts and the food for their holiday dinner.

Davis married Anna Pesce in 1961 and Christine Allen in 1996.

He is survived by his wife, Christine; three children, Roxanne Jones and her husband Donald of Harpswell, Frederick Davis and his wife Marlise of South Glastonbury, Conn., and New York City, and Stephanie Davis and her partner Steven Kern of Los Angeles; three brothers, Herbert Davis and his partner Ruth Dean of Bowdoin, Richard Davis and his wife Bonita of Bangor, Larry Davis and his wife Joyce of Boothbay; two sisters, Judith Major of Akron, Ohio and Dianne (Dinny) Dungey and her husband Max of Wellston, Ohio; two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by four brothers, John, Shaffer, Harold and Donald; and two sisters, Edith Mack and Inez Snyder.

A few weeks before his death, when asked what he was proudest of in his life, Davis replied, My three children.

A private family service will be held, with a public celebration of his life to be announced. Arrangements are by Kincer Funeral Home, 130 Pleasant St., Richmond. Condolences may be expressed at www.kincerfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to:

The Class of 1946 Scholarship Fund at Maine Maritime Academy Care of Development Office 101 Leavitt Hall Castine, Maine 04420 or to CHANS/Hospice 60 Baribeau Dr. Brunswick, Maine 04011