David R. Gay

1955 - 2024

David R. Gay

Winchester, NH - David Robert Gay, 68, a resident of Winchester, passed away peacefully after a brief period of declining health on Friday, August 9, 2024, with the love of family by his side at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon.

He was born a son to the late Anita B. (Cross) and Robert E. Gay on August 16, 1955, in Turners Falls, MA. He was educated in the local Turners Falls school system. David played football, basketball, and baseball at Turners Falls High School and graduated with the class of 1973.

On October 10, 1981, David exchanged vows with the love of his life, Janean D. Russell, at the United Church of Winchester, in the presence of family and friends.

After graduating high school, David worked at Erving Paper Mill, in Brattleboro, VT for twelve years. After leaving Erving, he began his career in meat cutting and enjoyed his time working at Food City, in Turners Falls for many years. David took a brief hiatus from meat cutting to work as an independent operator for Freihoffer's Bakery, after which, he returned to Food City, resuming his career as a meat cutter, from which he reited in 2023. David was always grateful to his friend and mentor, Paul Stewart, who taught him the trade.

Along with working, David enjoyed playing softball, bowling, and golf. Most of all, David loved spending time with his family. He was an avid New England Sports fan and enjoyed watching every game he could with his son, Brian. David also loved vacationing in Wells Maine, spending time with his children, step children, and grandchildren. David had a great love of music and most of all enjoyed listening to Classic Rock. Back in the day, he would coach his sons Little League baseball team, as his dad did for him. David was a long-time member of the Our Lady of Peace Church in Turners Falls, MA.

Mr. Gay is survived by his beloved wife, Janean D. Gay of Winchester, their children, Brian Gay of Winchester, Amanda Ferro and husband, James of Winchester, stepdaughter, Kathy Callander and husband, Scott of Georgia, stepson, Earl Royce and wife, Lynn, of Winchester, and stepdaughter, Tamara Morrow and husband, Richard of Florida. He is also survived by his two sisters, Brenda Merritt and husband, Dale of Vermont, and Sheri Carpenter of Vermont, his 10 grandchildren, Jace Morrow, Key Morrow, Remi Morrow, Robert Royce, Starr Kordana, Alyssa Champney-Gay, Jedidiah Callander, Makayla Callander, Natalee Fish, and Tessa Fish. His 5 great grandchildren, Bentley, Dax, Iris, Elle, and Colton. Along with cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Peace Church at 90 7th St, Turners Falls, MA 01376, on Saturday, October 26th at 11:00am In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monadnock Humane Society at 101 W Swanzey Rd, Swanzey, NH 03446. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Homes, Chapel, and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. www.cheshirefamilyfh.com.