After the military, Dave went on to get his Master Plumber's license and began his plumbing business, Gemini Plumbing. He raised kids who grew up catching fireflies and having adventures on Plain Hill Road in Norwich. He coached little league baseball, along with Sandy. Sandy and Dave separated but remained friends for the rest of Dave’s days, watching their children and grandchildren grow up. Dave also remained close with Sandy’s siblings, Patty and Gene, and Gene's wife Donna. 

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Dave had three children, Tandy, Tracy, and Toby, and one daughter-in-law, Georjanne. He loved family gatherings at Toby and Georjanne's house. He had seven grandchildren and one grandson-in-law: Kaitrin and Alan, AJ, Ryan, Alexia, Olivia, Megan, and Camden, all who he adored, and who adored him in turn. He attended countless gymnastics meets, award ceremonies, graduations, and gallery openings. He would crawl around on the ground with his grandchildren, despite knees that wished otherwise, and didn’t stop until his grandchildren were all walking on their own two feet. Whenever he saw Alexia perform a back-tuck or Cam do an ATV jump, he would exclaim, “Oh-ho-ho geez!” He loved hearing about their pursuits of horseback riding, ATVs, writing, art, school and was always interested to hear about hobbies and jobs and just how someone’s day went.

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Dave never hesitated to tell his family and friends how important they were to him. 

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Dave was a lover of steak and eggs, ice cream sundaes, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and despised all vegetables. He loved to commiserate over shared hatred of the cold weather. He referred to many of his family members by nicknames, like String Bean, Fish, Alley Cat, Boy, and Gurl. He was a league bowler, loved feeding “his” ducks, playing cards, Pacman, and having picnics. He was rarely seen without a cup of coffee, and when asked if he wanted a cup, would declare, “If there’s a day I don’t want coffee, something’s up.” He continued as an avid coffee lover until the last few weeks of his life, when he announced in a British accent, “I drink tea now.” 

 

In his early seventies, when discussing that he would be eighty soon, Dave replied, “Nah. Nope. No thanks, that’s too old.” Dave passed peacefully in his sleep after a very short bout with cancer, after a week with many visits from his family, at age seventy nine. The temperature was due to drop to a -20 windchill, to which Dave clearly decided to not attend.

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Dave will be missed by his family and friends, and memories of him will be cherished and spoken frequently. When the weather warms, we encourage you to take your family or friends out on a picnic in honor of Dave.

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We love you Dad and Granpa.