The trainers first saw him working out at the club on Scatterfield Road. Davis had visited at a friend’s request.

“We saw Doran working out here a few times and Dave and I were a little concerned about his form and technique. And we kind of made friends with Doran and decided to help out,” said Buchan. Both trainers are working with Davis without charge.

Davis said he keeps coming back to White River Club to affirm two goals.

“Courage and patience,” said Davis, whose dyslexia is among his disabilities. He has particular difficulty in typing on a computer. “The courage of working out.”

Recognizing he is 52, Davis and his trainers plan to start working in a different direction, maybe taking him into swimming or bowling.

“We just want to keep healthy as long as we can,” said Boivin.

But in searching for the right sport, the trainers make Davis a promise: “It won’t be checkers.”