Davis Manning obit

Rae Davis Manning Has Died

January 16, 1950 - January 22, 2023 

He was not on the list.

In the early morning hours of January 22nd Davis Manning passed peacefully at home surrounded by people who loved him. We too loved Davis. From the moment we met him we were enthralled with his storytelling and his musicality. He was and always will be very much a part of The Hip’s story.

Our sincere condolences go out to his family and daughters Ona Manning and Maisy Manning.

It is with deep sadness we announce the passing of Davis (Rae) after a courageous battle with cancer.

He is survived by his two daughters Maisy (Adam) and Ona, (Chris) his grandsons Nolan, Mason and Liam, his sisters Maurie (Steve), Mikie (Wayne), Katie (John), and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He is pre-deceased by his beloved older sister CJ.

The community of Hope has been like family to Davis since the early 70's when he met his wife Cindy in 1972 and soon after had their two daughters. He has made Hope his home ever since.

He has been a big part of the music scene all along and could be found telling stories, making people laugh with his quick wit, painting a house or jamming with a band any chance he got.

His family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to his Hope friends for all the love they have given him over the years. A special thank you to the doctors and nurses at Fraser Canyon Hospital for their impeccable care.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Fraser Canyon Hospice Society.

Before Paul Langlois joined the band, the boys played with Davis Manning. Davis was an older, more experienced musician and served as The Hip's saxophone player. As The Tragically Hip began to seriously pursue a career in music, running demo tapes to record execs in Toronto and expanding touring beyond their Queen's University fan base, Davis Manning was faced with a decision. Manning, being more mature and settled than his band mates, had a girlfriend and an established life in Kingston. Manning had to choose either the girl and the comfortable life playing music in his home town, or the rocky and risky road to rock and roll success.

As legend would have it, late one evening before Davis made his decision known, he walked to the corner of King and Princess Streets in downtown Kingston. There, in an alley that now stands beside a tattoo parlour, he painted a huge mural featuring a weeping eye and a shooting star. He painted "The Hip Live Between Us" in large letters across the wall, in apparent reference to he and his lover.

In the end, Davis chose the girl, left the band, and continued to be an active musician until he passed away in 2023. His mural stood until the summer of 2005 when it was painted over by local business owners. His artwork was used as the CD art for the Hip's 1997 live release. The disc, in a clever turn of phrase, was called "Live Between Us."