FALMOUTH – H. Halsey Davis, longtime president of Shaw’s Supermarkets and a pioneer in the development of shopping centers across the region, died Friday at a Portland care facility after a short illness. He was 99.

Davis led the food retailer’s growth from two small grocery stores in downtown Portland to a large New England supermarket chain.

In the process, he developed many of the first shopping centers in Maine and New Hampshire, including Mill Creek in South Portland and North Gate and West Gate in Portland.

Davis retired as president of Shaw’s in 1975. The company merged four years later with BPM stores in Brockton, Mass., and was subsequently sold to J. Sainsbury PLC, the largest food retailer in the United Kingdom.

Davis was active in industrial development efforts in the Portland area and served on various civic and corporate boards.

During the 1980s, Davis and his wife, Phyllis, established the Davis Family Foundation to support activities in the fields of education, health and culture. They later established the Davis Conservation Foundation for environmental protection and care of natural resources.

Davis’ wife died in 1995. His survivors include four grandchildren.

A private memorial service is planned.