Robert Wesley Davis

Robert Wesley Davis of Coquitlam B.C. passed peacefully in his sleep on April 8, 2026 in his 95th year. Bob started life in Erindale, now Port Credit, Ontario, the seventh of eight children in a family of modest means where hard work was expected, but education was not. He was one of the first in his family to go to university when he enrolled at the University of Western Ontario, paying his own way by working summer and part time jobs. With his well known work ethic, he rose to the top ranks of one of the largest international professional accounting firms in Canada. As a mentor to junior partners, he was known as fair, warm and wise. Along the way, he provided a good life, and more importantly, was a role model and benefactor to his family.

At 6’2”, Bob was a natural athlete, playing basketball, baseball, football & managing the men’s wrestling team at Western. It was there that he met the love of his life, Daphne Anne Hillary, who he married in 1957. He was a member of Kavoo, a tight knit group of Kappa Alpha fraternity members and their wives who have kept in touch for 70 years. He graduated with Honours in Business Administration in 1957, and as a CA on the Dean’s Honour’s List in 1962.

Bob joined the CA firm Peat Marwick Mitchell & Co. in London upon graduation. He was elected to the partnership in 1966 and was Managing Partner of that office until his move to Ottawa in 1977 as Managing Partner, and then to Chief Operating Partner of the firm, based in Toronto, in 1982.

Wherever he went, Bob was involved in local charities, arts organizations and board work, including the Grand Theatre in London, Mizuho Corporate Bank (Canada), the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario as well as KPMG.

After co-leading the implementation of the merger of Peat Marwick and Thorne Ernst & Whinney, which became KPMG, he retired from the firm in 1991 and accepted a term as Commissioner with the Ontario Securities Commission. He was grateful to be asked to return to the OSC for two more terms, the maximum allowed. He greatly enjoyed his work at the OSC, and credited his time there with keeping his mind sharp.

Bob was an avid golfer, skier, enjoyed the theatre, opera, history and a bit of gambling at the horse races. He often took his family on ski and golf holidays, conveniently near casinos. He was known as the go-to problem solver in his extended family. When someone needed a bit of extra help or advice, Bob often got the call. Sometimes what they got was a reality check, which could be the most helpful of all.

Bob was predeceased by his wife of 41 years, Daphne Anne, née Hillary, his parents, James Wesley & Myrtle Irene (Gerry) Davis, sisters Jean (Walter) Newton, Marion (Thomas) Kennedy, Helen (Robert) Soper, Peg (Bill) Chalmers, Joan (James) Delaplante, and brothers Jack (Anne) Davis and Gary (Heather) Davis. He is survived by his children Cathy of Toronto, Michael & Tony of Port Moody, B.C. and his grandchildren Matt Davis of Port Moody, & Alexa Davis of Vancouver. He is fondly remembered by his grandchildren’s mother, Sharon Chan Davis.

A Celebration of Life will be held at the Vancouver Golf Club, 771 Austin Ave., Coquitlam, B.C. on Friday, May 22nd from 4-6pm. Charitable contributions in his memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.