Dean D. Davis, 72, of Ravena, NY passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 5, 2026, following a brief illness.

Dean was born on January 30, 1954, and discovered his passion for animals and wildlife at a young age, from the cats, dogs and local wildlife at home to the creatures that occupied the beaches where his family and friends vacationed. As a teenager, he worked in his father's pharmacy on Main Street, later turning his passion into the business that made him well-known locally as he would bring his feathered, hairy, scaled and chitinous friends to camps, schools, museums, fairs, libraries, birthday parties and even the local news.

Dean was a lifelong resident of Ravena and touched countless lives over the years as a much-loved member of the community. He dedicated several decades to bringing his vast knowledge to others through his educational programs and founded The Living World Ecology Center. He was legendary in the community and generations of people recount memories of his fascinating career from seeing spectacled cobras at the museum, meeting Fizzgig the chinchilla, Dummy the sloth, Mike the cockatoo, or seeing hissing roaches, rattlesnakes, Atlas moths, alligators, turtles, lizards, scorpions, hedgehogs―anything that you can think of.

He could always be counted on if a neighbor had a bat in the attic or a snake in the yard and wanted it moved or identified. He would chat for hours if he had the time, and while the fear may still remain, he would leave the person with more knowledge and slightly less fear.

Dean was predeceased by his parents, Ray and Mary Lou, his brother Karl Davis (Kathleen), and companion Maria Denton. He is survived by former spouses Maureen Misuraca and Lauren Young, daughters Cara Davis and Naja Davis, nephew Kyle Davis, niece Heather Conley and three great-nephews.

Services will be private. A life celebration will be held sometime in the near future. If you would like to donate to a cause in his name to celebrate his life, please choose your favorite local or larger wildlife sanctuary, charity or education program.