Joseph Charles Davy

Joseph Charles (Joe) Davy, age 59, of La Crescent MN, passed away unexpectedly at his home on July 15, 2022.  He was born December 14, 1962.  He grew up in Brownsville, Minnesota, attended Brownsville Elementary School and graduated from Caledonia High School. He later attended WTC in La Crosse, where he graduated with degrees in Electro-Mechanical Technology and Supervisory Management.  Joe worked at several local companies over the years. Most recently he was employed by the Trane Company, where he worked for 26 years prior to his retirement earlier this year.

Joe’s avid interest in music began when he was gifted a guitar and initially took lessons to learn to play it.  He continued to learn on his own and later learned to play keyboard as well.  He and 3 of his high school friends started a band named “One Way Band”.  While still in high school, they performed at several local venues and at the KTTC Cancer Telethon.  In more recent years after band members moved from the area, they would get together to, as Joe would say, “talkin’ some trash and jammin’ some tunes”.

Joe’s love for music led him to support others to experience the benefits of playing an instrument. He donated numerous guitars, amplifiers, and accessories for students in the La Crosse YMCA music program. As he said, “it feels good to give some kids a chance to learn to play guitar that may not have had the chance”.

Joe volunteered his time and completed projects for several local groups and organizations over the years including Sons of American Legion-La Crescent, The Apple Annies, Applefest, YMCA La Crosse, and the La Crosse Community Thanksgiving Dinner. When dining at some of his “frequently visited restaurants”, he was well known for carrying a backpack filled with stuffed animals, cars, coloring books and crayons to give to young diners.

Joe enjoyed woodworking, building furniture, benches, and all sorts of “other things” including stage lighting boxes for himself and other musicians. He had a “wily” sense of humor. He loved joking and playing pranks on friends and family. Joe loved his adopted rescue beagles, Zoey followed by Ellie. They were both spoiled with treats and a trove of gifts each Christmas.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Romis and Mary Therese Davy, and his brother-in-law, John Hompertz.  He is survived by sisters, Michelle Hompertz and Jeanne Farnham-Davy (Jack) along with numerous cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at the Swing Bridge Restaurant in La Crescent MN from 1:00 – 4:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred and will be donated to organizations/programs that Joe supported.