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DAVID M. WEIR

DAVID WEIR Obituary

WEIR--David Manson II, died peacefully on Sunday, August 19, in East Hampton of complications from prostate cancer. Born in 1944, David was the son of Ernest Tener Weir, founder of National Steel, and Mary Hayward Weir. David was a racing car driver, who came in fourth in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971, and maintained his passion for automobiles throughout his life. He later worked as an alcoholism and substance abuse counselor. East Hampton residents will remember his little yellow Morris Minor convertible, often seen around the village. David is survived by his wife Gretchen and his two children, Maisie and Gregory. A raconteur, a wit, a clothes horse, a loyal friend, a generous husband and father, and a true gentleman, David will be sadly missed by his family and many friends. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to East End Hospice or to Visiting Nurse Service of New York. Memorial service to be held in New York City at a future date.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by New York Times on Aug. 24, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for DAVID WEIR

Sponsored by anonymous.

21 Entries

Susan Schumacher Morris

May 29, 2013

I was very sorry to hear from a Milton classmate of David's that he had passed away He and I were childhood friends back in the 1950's when his family lived in Pittsburgh. I will always remember the good times the two of us had playing together.
Our mothers were friends and they were always arranging for David and me to play.
David's governess, Mam'sell, was a good-natured French woman who loved him dearly. She acted as our chaperone as David and I played both in his parents' apartment and their home in Weirton (the Williams country club now). David had a huge imagination and we had a blast making up games, running through the rooms. He was definitely fun to be with. I remember when the family's chauffeurs drove David and me along with his Shady Side Academy classmates to Weirton for a birthday party. David took me to my first concert (with the Cadillacs in Pittsburgh's Syria Mosque.) I think we were about 13.
After Mr. Weir died, David and his mother eventually moved to NYC. After that we lost touch but I always remembered him fondly. Years later in the1980's I did a story on Weirton and Weirton Steel Company for National Public Radio.
Townspeople told me about the library David's mother had given to Weirton. A number of them talked about David's visits to Weirton. I made a stop at the Williams Country Club and was amazed to see the gazebo was still in the back and the view of the West Virginia/Ohio valley was even more spectacular than I had remembered.

My sympathies to David's family.

Maisie Weir

December 1, 2012

I am not sure if the daughter is supposed to write on her fathers obituary but here goes.... thank you all for your incredibly kind words. Sometimes when I am missing my father so much that it hurts, I come on here and read the wonderful things people have said about him and it brightens the moment. So thank you for sharing your stories and your love of my father as well. We all miss you daddy.

George Bamford

October 28, 2012

I met David in March 1980. We became great friends immediately. He loved Barbara, my wife and our children. At first he called me "angry George" and laugh. Then he changed it to "Father George". Finally he decided I was "Serene George". I so looked forward to our lunches, our conversations ranging from etymology to Jacky Stewart, politics, religion and always with much laughter. Of course David would devilishly after every lunch suggest it was my turn to pick up the tab.I miss you David. You were a great pal.
Your friend
George

Paula Gadigian

October 22, 2012

I was so saddened to hear of the untimely
passing of such a lovely gentlemen. I knew David in 1978 thru early 80's.
He was unforgettable, and will be remembered forever and missed. My
heartfelt condolences to his wife
Gretchen and his children. And yes,
he had a scrumptious way with words
and it was fascinating to listen to
him talk about anything.
Paula

Glenn Farris

October 15, 2012

I knew Dave as a member of the Georgetown Crew in 1963. Although he was with us only one year, his remarkable bonhomie and ability to tell stories has stayed with me for a half century. His "Lion Story" was a classic.

Peter Schmader

October 14, 2012

David, old friend, safe travels and many thanks.

Gretchen, I send lots of love and warm wishes.

Peter Dunev

October 7, 2012

Unlike David, I am at a complete loss for words. I met David in the late 60s and we quickly became close friends. It was David who found me my first job in '71 on Wall Street, next to him in Bache & Co, overlooking the skating rink in Rock Center. What great adventures we've had over the years, David. Thank you for being my friend. I will miss you terribly.

David and Gretchen in Times Square, June 2004

David Turner

October 6, 2012

David knew the right way to live, and most cordially invited us to join him in it. As another of his friends notes here, he conquered demons left and right, and sort of kept them on leashes like pets, so his presence always had a complex and intriguing texture. We miss him dearly, deeply.

The picture of him and Gretchen under a looming Mercedes seems true enough to include here.

Jeanie & David Stiles

September 30, 2012

Dear Gretchen,
We found your note in our Morris Minor and were so sad to hear that David had passed away. He was truly an inspiration to me. I always loved hearing him speak -- he had a way with words and a positive outlook on life. We will sorely miss him. We would love to hear from you and to get
together. Please give us a ring any time.
Fondly,
Jeanie & David

Christoppher Lovick

September 25, 2012

David turned me on to James Salter, Lee Marvin, Kinglake, Agnes Graham, Lermontov, Mali Kali--I could go on. His taste was impeccable, and he wrote and spoke with perfect ease. He taught me that avoiding violence is the masculine way, and he let me drive his Morris Minor. I will miss him deeply.

Woody Lewis

September 24, 2012

David always carried himself with wit and grace, even during his illness. I will miss his stimulating conversation. My heart goes out to Gretchen, Maisie and Gregory.

robyn geddes

September 22, 2012

David, Will miss you very much and I hope our laughter stays with you. Much love, Robyn

September 22, 2012

David, You were alot to me David. May our laughter always be with you. Much love, Robyn

richard tuggle

September 11, 2012

we miss you dave

September 10, 2012

My name is Patrick Delap, I met David in 1966 in London, and there began a great friendship. We, that is, all his friends in London, miss him, but remember him with ladsting affection.

September 7, 2012

DearGretchen Maisie and Gregory,
Our prayers and condolences to you. David was such a good man who conqured his deamons and then offered his help to others in need. Mary loved his sense of humor. As with St. Paul David fought the good fight and now a crown awaits him in heaven. I'm sorry we were in NH for August and just found out when we returned this Wednesday.
Please call us if we can help you with anything.

All our love,
Bill,Mary,and Lindsay

Dennis Jones

September 1, 2012

I first met David on Sunday, June 1, 2008, and spent over 2 hours with him in our museum in Weirton. He stayed in touch frequently via email and I will always remember his wonderful sense of humor, his way with words, and his concern for preserving the history of Weirton Steel Co.

Karen Barber Falbo

August 26, 2012

My deepest sympathy to the family of David Weir, son of Ernest T. Weir, the man who provided a comfortable living and sense of pride to tens of thousands of steelworkers, including my dad who worked at Weirton Steel for nearly 50 years. David never forgot his Weirton roots, and the folks back home appreciated that.

Lois Fundis

August 26, 2012

I had the pleasure to meet David Weir two or three times at the Mary H. Weir Public Library in Weirton, which is named for his mother. (Funds for the original building were donated by his father, who helped break the ground for its construction shortly before his death.) The last time I saw him was at the library's 50th anniversary ceremony, when he unveiled the portraits of his parents hanging in the library. David was a handsome, witty, kind and generous man.

Many people in Weirton were fond of him not only for his parents' sake, but for his own. I am very sorry to hear of his death. We will miss him.

Craig Howell

August 24, 2012

I had the pleasure of meeting David many years ago as a young journalist in Weirton. Touring the family's former home and listening to his stories continues to be one of my favorite experiences of my career. Deepest sympathies to Gretchen, Maisie and Gregory from all of us at The Weirton Daily Times.

August 24, 2012

You have our sympathy. I was pleased to meet David at the Weirton Hall of Fame Banquet when his father, our town's namesake, was inducted. God bless you with the love and memories you shared.
Deb and Rick Witkowski
Weirton, WV

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