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Birth and Early Years

BIRTH/FIRSTS
Want to talk about “Firsts” being bestowed upon Luigi?, just let’s look at his birthday…..January 1^st. 1950. While the three firsts are readily apparent i.e. first day, of the first month, of the first year of the latter half of the 20^th. century, what may lightly astound you is the fact that Luigi’s mother - Gloria (nee Ennis) will proudly inform/remind one and all that she along with the attendant medics delivered Luigi on a Sunday, the first day of the week. Luigi was the first of six sons (first-born girl - Sonia preceded him) borne of the union between Gloria and Luigi’s Dad Kenneth “Mutt & Jeff” Davey (RIP). And, although there were grand-daughters preceding him, Luigi was the first-born grandson for his maternal grand-parents Alian (nee Moody) and George Ennis. Several other notable (and infamous) firsts mentioned on other “pages” within this site, were either ones bestowed upon Luigi or were “perpetrated” by Luigi himself, some with his own unique, flavorful, embellishments.

CRADLE CATHOLIC
Since Luigi’s Dad was an orphan who was raised by Roman Catholic Nuns (Royal Sisters of Mercy Order) & Priests (Holy Jesuit Order) who administered the Alpha Boys School, what was then, and at the time of, the “conception” of Luigi, there was blessed proclamation of “another of God’s miracles” in the form of a specially arranged thanksgiving Mass held at the humble Alpha chapel and attended by close family members, a few friends, and a hosts of resident Nuns & Priests.

This staunchly Catholic origin may no doubt surprise many of Luigi’s fellow brethren from Twelve Tribes but…this early influence of Vatican was even more pronounced. Baptism…by Fr. Roy B. Campbell S.J. (RIP…who had also officiated at the marriage ceremonies for Luigi’s parents) who later coached KTHS to victory in the 1962 Walker Cup Championships…was at Holy Catholic Cathedral. First Communion (along with first-born sister Sonia, see photo) was also performed by Fr. Campbell and also at Cathedral. Confirmation… by Bishop John J. McEleny S.J. (then Bishop of Kingston) at around age 11 or so also occurred at Cathedral. Our family attended St. Peter Claver (Waltham Pk. Rd & Oakland Ave) where Luigi assisted Fr. Shannon S.J. as an Altar Server proudly attired in his Lone Ranger neck-tie. Luigi dutifully adhered to the tenets of Vatican as most young Catholics did in obedience to their parents wishes in the sixties.

VERY ACTIVE/GROWTH SPURT/ADVENTUROUS
For several years Luigi was the unofficial “…leader of the pack…” engaging his younger siblings in all the physical activities of the day (no TV, no Video games, self-made toys), spinning gigs, kites,marbles, running, jumping, skating, bird-hunting, cricket, “sea-well-lash” (which no doubt sharpened skills that later served us well), and of course SOCCER. It was Luigi & Dirty Harry versus Real Kill & Mikey… 2-v-2 and, of course, as we grew larger and larger, Gloria’s well-manicured lawn, which rimmed the ultra-modest, small, wooden Davey homestead on Beatriz Crescent (in the heart of Kingston 11), was soon leveled and eventually turned into a dust bowl but… on we played. Luigi had a very early “growth spurt” and for several years he was much taller, “stouter”, stronger, faster, and smarter (not to mention more deviously adventurous) than all the kids we played with including first cousin Tony (RIP), Noel "Ev", "Coach" Thompson, Carl "Per-Raggy" Wilson, Evan "Bumpy" Wilson, "Vava-Blue", Ever & Tony Nevers, Danny & Pat Prendergast (older brothers of FIFA referee Peter), Zadoc "Zeph"/ "Uggie" Henry, Jackie & Fitzroy Birch, Carl "Bobby Reds" Ricketts, Rafael "Jim Ballsey" Plummer, etc. Luigi would (likely seeking to satisfy his inquisitive mind) pull apart the radio, the clock, etc. but …. of course….when he couldn't quite put them back together so that they would function properly… he would (often) attract the wrath of Dad. No doubt, had video games been around back then, Luigi would have required significantly less “parenting” from Ken D. and the huge Dibby-Dibby tree would not have been “robbed” (stripped) of so many of its branches.