BASIL DAVENPORT

Basil Davenport was born in 1938 at Wimpole Home Farm, U.K., the youngest of seven.
An explorer from a young age, at 21 he joined the Royal Air Force and travelled the world.
During these travels, he met the love of his life, Sheila. They were married within the year in Cyprus. Following the birth of their oldest son Andrew, they moved to a farm in Wales where their family grew; first Sarah then Robert joined the crew.
Outgrowing their Welsh homestead, Basil travelled to Canada to scope out a new farm for his family. In November 1975, just prior to a Bruce County winter, the family moved to the Lake Huron shore, first settling in Kincardine, where Basil worked with Clarence Ackert and was introduced to the challenges of farming through a Canadian winter.
The family eventually moved up the shoreline to Saugeen Township, then Derby Township, where Basil continued to farm and work at Morrison’s Home Hardware as a trusted source of handyman advice.
In his early sixties, Basil was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He kept farming until the challenges of the disease made strenuous physical activity a challenge. He and Sheila retired in Owen Sound, where together they grew beautiful flower gardens and Basil tended his vegetable garden.
Over the last few years, Basil fought the ravages of this disease, working hard to maintain his dignity, and modifying his lifestyle and environment so he could continue to live a full and active life. In September 2021, Basil and Sheila moved full circle, returning to Kincardine Township (Tiverton Park Manor) where he passed away at the Huron Shores Hospice on Friday April 2, 2021.
The last of his siblings, he is survived by his partner in life, Sheila; three children, Andrew, Sarah (Matthew Harvey) and Robert (Tracy Kubesheskie), and his much loved granddaughter, Bronwynne Harvey (Dylan Thompson).
Basil was predeceased by his six siblings, but is survived by their descendants, his many nephews and nieces, their children and grandchildren.
A gentle and quiet soul, he taught us: to work hard with purpose; to explore; to care for all living creatures and stay close to nature; the value of a simple life; to make delicious soups; and 101 ways to use a piece of baler twine.
In lieu of flowers and in memory of Basil’s courageous battle with PD, donations to the Parkinson Canada Research Program or to the Huron Shores Hospice would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Brian E. Wood Funeral Home.
A private family service was held at 1 p.m. on Monday, April 5, 2021.
Interment Mount Pleasant, Owen Sound.
Visit Basil’s online memorial at www.woodfuneralhome.ca.