Obituary of Owen Anthony Davey

With profound sadness, Owen Anthony Davey's family announces his passing on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. He died peacefully at home, in the Village of Gagetown, New Brunswick, surrounded by his wife and daughters. Born in Morecambe, Lancashire, England, on March 7, 1940, he was the son of Owen Anthony Davey (1899-1960) and Mary Ann Curlett (nee Jefferson) (1901-1975). He was one of eight children born into a kindly, loving, and tightly knit clan. He immigrated with his family to Canada in 1953 and settled in Sarnia, Ontario. Owen is survived by his beloved wife and companion of 54 years, Marilyn Leona Mahoney, from Grand Falls, New Brunswick. Together they raised three daughters, Laura (predeceased by Robert), Melissa, and Christina (Warren). Five grandchildren have blessed his life and have been a source of joy and pride – Olivier, Zoé, Pascal, Caleb, and Matthew. In addition to his immediate family, “Tony,” as he was affectionately known, is survived by his sister, Stephanie Susan (predeceased by Renato) Gasparotto, sisters-in-law, Pat (predeceased by Jim) Davey and Sue (predeceased by Paul) Davey, special aunt, Dolly (nee Mahoney) Kerr, and a large extended family in Canada and around the world. Owen was an able and accomplished scholar and attended several universities in Canada and abroad. He was awarded numerous scholarships, including the IODE Canada Second War Memorial Postgraduate Scholarship. After completing his studies, he joined the RCMP Security Service and later transferred to the Ministry of the Solicitor General (now Public Safety Canada). Owen’s entire career concerned national security and intelligence operations of the Government of Canada, culminating as Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Police and Security (Solicitor General). His final assignment was as Special Advisor to the Commanding Officer, RCMP “J” Division, New Brunswick, during the restructuring of the provincial policing program in 1994. Owen received numerous commendations for his work, including from the former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, The Right Honourable Hebert Gray, noting his dedication to protecting Canada and its citizens. He was proudest of his role in helping establish the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) in 1984. Owen’s appointment to the National Defence College of Canada program was another watershed moment in his personal and professional life, which further motivated him to pursue opportunities to better the lives of others. After his retirement in 1997, Owen was elected as a councillor for the Village of Gagetown. In 2004, Owen received a heart transplant in Halifax, Nova Scotia, which gave him an additional 18 years, for which he and his family are very grateful. And in the spirit of giving back, he has donated his body to Dalhousie University’s Faculty of Medicine, Human Body Donation Program. A trained historian, he was the keeper of his clan’s genealogy and was an incredible storyteller – he could leave you in awe, in stitches or in quiet reflection. When asked to describe Owen, those who knew him and loved him offer the following: thoughtful, selfless, tenderhearted, honourable, humble, funny, loving, loyal, brilliant, dedicated, ingenious, passionate, bibliophile, protector, inspirational, resilient, and generous. Owen’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to their loved ones, their community of friends and neighbours, and the health care professionals who have looked after him over the years, in particular: Dr. Greg Haines, the Halifax Cardiac Transplant & Advanced Heart Failure Clinic, Home Care Plus Ltd, and the palliative and extra-mural teams that provided comfort, care, and dignity in his final weeks. In place of flowers, donations can be made to the Multi-Organ Transplant Program, Atlantic Canada, Queen Elizabeth II Health Sciences Centre, 6 South, Room 291 Victoria Building, 1276 South Park Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3H 2Y9. There will be no visitation; however, a celebration of life will be announced at a later date.