Aaron Jerome Davis, 31, Largo, Fla., died April 11, 2015. He was born June 21, 1983, in Madison. He lived in Racine from the time he was 6-months old until he was 8-years old. At that time he moved to Burlington, where he lived (except for about 18-months in Hawaii) until he was 25. He then moved to the St. Petersburg, Fla., area and had lived there for the last six years.
Aaron leaves behind his wife Anastasia ‘Ana’ Granucci Davis, his daughter Audrey Elizabeth (21-months old), and his newborn son Andrew Aaron Lawrence who was born 3-days after Aaron’s passing.
He also leaves behind his mother and stepfather, Kären and Robert Gueldenzopf, Burlington, father, Jefferson (Joan) Davis, Menomonee Falls, sister, Carly (Nic) Gueldenzopf-Griffis, Naperville, Ill., brother, Taylor Davis, Nashville, and Taylor’s mother, Judy Murray Davis, Menomonee Falls.
His grandparents are David and Betty Bidstrup, Racine, Anna and the late Robert Davis, formerly Portage, the late Donald and Lois Gueldenzopf, formerly Racine, and Lawrence and Cathylee Granucci, Largo.
He had many aunts, uncles, cousins, and was godparent to Evan Spencer, Racine.
Aaron brightened the world with his perpetual smile and tendency toward crushing hugs. If you met him you remembered him. His move to St. Petersburg made for the best years of his life. He took a job as a prep cook at Cafe Ponte in Clearwater. Chris Ponte, owner, executive chef, mentored Aaron, teaching him technique, proper kitchen organization, and good business practices. After about two years Aaron left to become a line cook at 400 Beach in St. Petersburg. Besides expanding his knowledge of kitchen operations, he met his future wife Ana who was the executive chef. To ensure that he would not risk this quickly growing relationship with a professional conflict of interest, he went to work for The Kitchen, a newer restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg. He quickly ascended to executive chef, a position he held until his untimely death.
He was killed while walking to his car after work, struck down by a drunk driver speeding through downtown St. Petersburg while fleeing from the police.
The restaurant community of downtown St. Petersburg has been wonderfully generous in their emotional and financial support of Aaron’s wife Ana during these difficult days. There have been gatherings for remembrance with hundreds in attendance, and benefit concerts are already scheduled.
Memorials in Aaron’s honor can be made at the following websites: http://www.400beachseafood.com/memoriam.html or http://www.gofundme.com/rn8rg7q.
All contributions will go directly to Ana, Audrey and Andrew. The family thanks everyone for their kind generosity.
Funeral services were held in St. Petersburg. There will be a Sunday Funday gathering of family and friends at Veterans Terrace at Echo Park, Burlington, on Sunday, April 26, from 2-5 p.m., to share pictures and stories about Aaron.
Well-wishers can visit www.andersonmcqueen.com.
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