A Loss in Our Community

a loss in our community...

What an honor it was to meet Joe Davis. Having inherited the legacy of the Stony Creek Puppet House, I have heard countless stories and hope to hear many, many more about the Sicilian puppets and the characters that brought them to life. I have to say it was a great honor to be in Joe's presence and to hear of his stories and experiences related to this meaningful building. I am grateful to him for continuing the tradition of the Sicilian puppets and of his care and restoration of them- one of which is hanging in the Stony Creek Museum. Everyone I spoke with who knew him or worked with had the nicest things to say about his care for the craft, work ethic, inclusion and kindness. I extend my sincerest condolences to his friends and family and mourn with all of us for our collective loss of the last who carried on this rare and cherished tradition within our community. Thank you for your heart, Joe, for your service in the tradition of the arts and the meaningful stories you perpetuated throughout the art form. You will always be a cherished part of the history of that little theater in Stony Creek.

Keely Baisden Knudsen
Artistic Director
Legacy Theatre

from Clancy Funeral home:

BRANFORD, CT - Joe (Joel) Davis, one the last living puppeteers of the Sicilian puppets of Stony Creek Puppet Theater unexpectedly passed away on February 16, 2020. He was predeceased by his father Norman Davis Sr. and his mother Lena Davis both of Stony Creek; and his brothers, Norman Davis Jr. of New Britain, and Peter Davis of Stony Creek.
Joe is survived by his sister Lena Davis of New Haven and his brothers Frank Davis of Wallingford, and John Davis of Branford. Joe was the favorite uncle who always had a song to sing and an amazing story to tell to his nephew and nieces Kevin Chrisentemi, Kate (Davis) Dadio, Melissa (Davis) Devanney, Laura (Davis) Malangone, Lisa Davis, and April Davis.
Joe was a gifted craftsman proficient in many trades. His true passion, though, was being a puppeteer. For many years Joe traveled with the Sicilian puppets performing across the United States. His passion brought him to successfully revise the puppet theater in Stony Creek for a number of years.

The great loves of his life were his dogs; Boots, Ashley, Tess and most recently Lucky.
A memorial service will be held for Joe on Saturday, February 29, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at the Stony Creek Congregational Church, 192 Thimble Island Road, Stony Creek, followed by a reception in the church hall in his honor. Memorial donations can be made to the National Puppetry Conference at Connecticut's Eugene O'Neill Theater Center. Gifts in Joel's honor will help support scholarships for puppetry artists. For directions and online memorial see www.wsclancy.com.