Jo Elis Davidson (1932-1999) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He absorbed his passion for music from his parents, who were both music instructors. His father, Eero Davidson, played cello and his mother, Miriam Kirkell, played piano.

Jo became an accomplished a musician, playing baritone horn, guitar, dulcimer, cello and banjo. In his student years at Carnegie Institute of  Technology, he played bagpipes in the Kiltie Marching Band. He performed with local folk music bands and developed friendships with some of the great balladeers, such as Pete Seeger, who stayed in his house when he performed in Pittsburgh.

Mr. Davidson was studying engineering at Carnegie Institute of Technology when the Korean War erupted. As a conscientious objector, he did alternative service with the American Friends Service Committee in Philadelphia until 1958.

Upon his return to Pittsburgh, Jo worked as a journeyman auto mechanic at garages while he attended the University of Pittsburgh and received a bachelor's degree in industrial-vocational education. Pursuing his love of history, he earned a master's degree in that subject, also from Pitt. In his job as a mediator and automotive investigator for the Allegheny County Bureau of Consumer Affairs, Jo made his mark as a consumer advocate and went on to become a nationally recognized forensic auto mechanic.

Besides his wife, Charlotte E. Johnson, he is survived by a daughter, Mariann Davidson Stopyra of Columbus, Ohio; two sons, Gordon of McLean, Virginia, and Warren of Pittsburgh; and a granddaughter.

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