BEVERLY: Christopher Peter Davico, 51, died peacefully surrounded by his closest family members on Saturday, May 7, 2016 in the care of the Lahey Medical Center, Burlington following a brief illness.
Born in Salem on May 25, 1964, he was the son of Gail E. (Kennedy) Penney and the late Joseph F. Penney and the late Charles P. Davico. He was a lifelong resident of Beverly and a graduate of the Claude H. Patten Vocational High School at Beverly High School, Class of 1982.
Christopher was a highly accomplished pattern maker by trade working for some of the most prestigious tool and foundry shops in New England. He apprenticed with Beverly Pattern, Inc. before establishing his own thriving company by purchasing Malden Pattern Works in Malden, MA. In more recent years he was always willing to lend a hand at The Wild Horse Cafe and Prides Crossing Confections.
A lover of what he called “knee-slapper” jokes, Chris enjoyed making others laugh and had a wonderful sense of humor. He was a big-hearted person always willing to help anyone in need.
Chris had a deep love for animals. He was the Pied Piper of stray cats, bringing home a string of feral felines over the past two decades and nurturing each to good health and happy domestication. He leaves behind his adored Fluffy and most recent adoptee, Moochie.
A self-taught, avid cook he got his start in the kitchen of the Capri Restaurant under the ever-watchful, patient guidance of the late Charlie Amore. Anyone who had the luck of eating Chris’ cooking knows how much love he poured into his culinary endeavors. A better meatball might never be tasted. His family home had an open-door policy during the holidays for anyone needing a place to celebrate. If you found your way there, you were welcomed as family and treated to a holiday feast that Chris began to prepare days in advance, never knowing how many folks would show up.
In addition to his mother, Gail, he is survived by his beloved aunt, Maureen Barnes, five siblings, Mary Velonis and her husband James of Newbury, Milissa Oraibi and her husband Brenden Crocker of Beverly, Ian Davico and his wife Lori of Westbury, NY, Elizabeth Knott and her spouse Dawn Lucier of Sandwich and Michaela Davico and her husband David Wright of Middlebury, VT. He is also survived by nephews Jake, Samuel, and Matthew Velonis, Finn Crocker, Brian Davico, and Weston Wright; nieces Noor Oraibi, Beatrice Crocker, Grace Davico and Lena Wright, as well as several aunts and uncles, including Louise and Richard Del Colle, Elaine Abate and several cousins and close friends.
Visiting hours will be held on Saturday, June 4th in the Grondin Funeral Home, 376 Cabot Street, Beverly from 1- 4 p.m. All who knew Chris are welcome to stop by. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to Beverly Bootstraps, 198 Rantoul St., Beverly, MA 01915 www.beverlybootstraps.org.