Harvey MacLean Davis

LISBON FALLS – Harvey MacLean Davis, of Lisbon Falls, a lover of music, film, technology, photography and imported sports cars passed away peacefully on Feb. 14, 2025, at Andwell Hospice House in Auburn. His death followed a series of medical setbacks since early 2023, but was nonetheless sudden, Lymphoma the ultimate cause of his passing.

“Harv” was born to Arnold and Virginia (Cushing) Davis in Concord, N.H., on July 3, 1946. He was a 1964 graduate of Concord (N.H.) High School, where he participated in student government, and musical/choral groups.

In Autumn of that year, Harv moved to Brunswick as a freshman student at Bowdoin College. In his early years at Bowdoin, he was known to perform at the Student Union with several male harmony folk groups, providing guitar, banjo and vocals – performing songs by artists such as The Kingston Trio and Donovan. Throughout his four years at the college, he was a member of the Delta Sigma fraternity, through which he formed friendships which would remain valuable and enriching throughout his life. He remained an active member of the fraternity, serving as chapter alumni president for several years.

Following graduation in 1968, he married Carolyn Bond of Old Saybrook, Conn., at the Abbey Chapel in Hadley, Mass. They met on a blind date in 1964 during her first year at Mount Holyoke College. He was initially employed as an elementary school teacher in Manchester, N.H., but found greater satisfaction with his subsequent work for the Booksmith stores chain as the recorded music purchasing manager for the local chain. During this time, Harv and Carolyn were frequent attendees of Boston music venues such as The Boston Tea Party, where they saw The Who’s “Tommy” performed with 500 other fans, among many other notable rock and esoteric musical artists. Harv’s interest in music as a performer evolved into a long life loving recorded and live music, promoting and selling it as a professional appreciator, collector and most notably – “record store music guru.”

In 1975, Harv returned to Brunswick with his growing family, now including their young son (joined by a daughter in 1977), to open the record store “Manassas, LTD.” on Maine Street just off the Bowdoin campus. For years “Manassas” served the Central and Mid-Coast Maine community as a vital source for new, imported and rare recorded music and video. Harv was seen driving around town in his red 1964 Austin-Healey Sprite convertible, smoking a pipe – in colder months wearing a rabbit fur toque. In 1985, Manassas expanded with a second location on Congress Street in Portland, bringing their college-town record store vibe to downtown. The small chain closed in 1987 due to changes in the industry.

Following Manassas, Harv remained in music retail and expanded to photography, a longtime hobby of his. During this time, he served customers and friends at the DeOrsey’s Music chain, Bowdoin Camera Exchange and Play It Again Music (Falmouth) stores, and managing national chains in the Lewiston/Auburn area. In later years, he worked in phone customer service at area call centers. He retired in 2012.

Harvey is survived by his son, Ian MacLean Davis of Baltimore, Md.; his daughter, Laura (Davis) Drown, son-in-law Ty Drown and granddaughters, Lyla and Lennon of Arundel; his sister, Leila and nephew Sage in California; his sister, Verna in Florida; his wife, Carolyn, a 50-year resident of Lisbon Falls and retired Catholic Charities Program Director; and cats Bo, Bammy and Mojo.

His death was preceded by his parents; and a brother, Alan.

A Celebration of Life event is forthcoming. Please contact harveymacd6913@gmail.com to join the list for updates.