77, of South Daytona, a retired Aero Space Engineer and State Licensed Building Official, passed away December 23rd at Halifax Health Medical Center, Daytona Beach.

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Published by Daytona Beach News-Journal on Dec. 30, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for David Achilles

21 Entries

January 10, 2017

Dave and I met after my Mom and Dad bought the house beside Dave and Maggie some 5 years ago. He and Maggie were always so kind to my folks and looked after the house when they were out of town. I could tell the first time I met Dave that he was well above average intelligence. My Dad said he was a very intelligent and gifted person, and one of the kindest people you could ever meet. Thank you for being there for Mom and Dad and Toby. Please accept our heartfelt sympathy to you Maggie, family, and Marcie Jade. Dave will surely be missed.

Don, Shirley, and Greg Compton

James McCartney

January 6, 2017

I have known Dave, Marcella, and their four legged family for 20 years or so. He was faithful in the care of his family, and generous and helpful to those around him. He will be missed, more than I can imagine, or put into words.

Valerie Nelson

January 6, 2017

Dave and I met in 2013 when he was going to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville and I was going to chemotherapy in Ormond Beach. We were the walking wounded but that did not interfere with talking. Since we both had science backgrounds we were able to talk about a diverse range of topics from aerospace engineering to zoology. Many times our conversations were about farming in Vermont and Iowa. Talking made the time go faster while walking in circles at the Sunshine Park Mall. I know Dave was living on borrowed time so I am so grateful for the time he shared with me. Dave was my hero! I will never forget him. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy Maggie, Dave's relatives, and especially little Marcie Jade.

January 6, 2017

Dave and I met in 2013 when he was traveling to Mayo Clinic and I was going to Ormond Beach for chemotherapy. We were the walking wounded but that did not interfere with talking. Since we both had science backgrounds, we were able to talk about a diverse range of topics from aerospace engineering to zoology. Many times our conversations were about the farming in Vermont and Iowa. Talking made the time go faster while walking in circles at Sunshine Park Mall. I know Dave was living on borrowed time and I am so grateful for the time he shared with me. DAVE WAS MY HERO! I will NEVER forget him. I send my heartfelt condolences to Maggie, Dave's relatives and especially Marcie Jade.
Valerie Nelson (South Daytona, FL)

Scott Metzger

January 5, 2017

He, his wry wit, and his smile will be missed so much. My thoughts are with the whole family.

January 4, 2017

My deepest condolences to the family, may you find comfort and strength from the God of all comfort in this difficult time (Isiah 26:19)

Gary

January 4, 2017

How many times has a joke or a story made someone's day. I know I enjoyed them over the fence all these years. It was not my easiest job working construction for him but I learned something about construction and have been able to do things today that he taught me. He will be missed. May he and you both find peace.

cliff campbell

January 3, 2017

My condolences as to David Achilles passing. He and I were the same age and I am the one who took over his job as Building Official. He was the reason I took the job and was very helpful in giving advice when needed. He was a great guy and tried to help anyone who asked for help. He died way to soon. God Bless

Regards, Cliff Campbell

Daniel

January 2, 2017

I am sorry for your loss. David will certainly be missed. May you treasure fond memories of your loved one and may the peace and comfort God gives be with you.

Ann

December 31, 2016

I am deeply sorry for the loss of David. May God's loving kindness bring you peace and comfort during this sad and difficult time. Psalms 29:11

Rich LeCates

December 31, 2016

A man of few words, but filled life with the greatest of laughter. Dave taught me through his example that the greatest any man could be was to just be himself. I wish I could have heard and shared a hearty laugh with him just one more time.

Karen Albright

December 30, 2016

We are part of Dave's "Sunshine Park mall walkers family". He was the first mall walking friend we met there. What a joy it was to know him. He will be missed. May God bless him and his dear wife Marcella. Our love and prayers, Karen & Jim Albright

December 30, 2016

May the God of all comfort be with you during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. My heartfelt condolences to the family during this time of sorrow. (1Corinthains 15:26) Please find peace in knowing that God understands your grief and He cares. 1 Peter 5:6, 7

Debbie Fitz-Gerald

December 30, 2016

Dave, the world will not be the same without you. May God grace you with his presence from now through eternity. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Maggie.

Jennifer

December 30, 2016

During such grievous times words seem to be of little comfort. Our Heavenly Father who created us, has the desire and the ability to undo the effects of death. At Hosea 13:14 he promises to empty the graves of our loved ones. Our tears of pain will be replaced with tears of joy! My hope is that God will strengthen you, and give you a measure of comfort and peace until His promise is realized.

gary wandelt

December 29, 2016

David was a gentle giant of how & who a man should be... He instinctively or analytically knew how to engineer, build & do anything he set his mind to... He ran circles around me, lifting cases of soda & bags of ice for SD citizens alert neighborhood watch... David worked for SD & always did things the right way, no short-cut$... He taught me a lesson by saying no to me, until the next day when i finally realized that he was right & i was wrong... and when i went to his house to apologize, he accepted & that was it, we were friends... I always admired David's honesty & work-ethics... He & Maggie were always there, volunteering for SD... God bless David & Maggie, it's my honor knowing you both...

John Schoch

December 29, 2016

Dave was a good friend for many years and a very special person, unforgettable and to be sorely missed. We first met when I was employed by the City of So. Daytona, and over time we got to know each other well when he worked with me in the Community Development Dept. The two of us also volunteered with Citizens' Alert and the "hot dog wagon" for a number of years. After both retired, we occasionally ran across one another as Dave did his regular daily walking at the Sunshine Park Mall; we'd walk along chatting, exchanging news, stories, and the like---he always had something interesting to say. Although Dave had a degree in electrical engineering and was quite analytical, his upbringing on a Vermont farm undoubtedly contributed to his down-to-earth demeanor. He was a man of character, and strong opinions; one may not have always agreed with him, but one had to respect him for his honesty, integrity, intelligence, sense of fairness and hard work (among other positive qualities). Beneath Dave's no-nonsense manner was a kind and caring soul who was concerned about people and our community. And when he was passionate about something he went after it full-throttle---e.g.: when odor was leaking from the Violet St. lift station, for months on end he persistently pushed the City to remedy the problem. And when he decided to provide a backup power supply for his home in case of outages, he built a virtually indestructible concrete block shelter in his yard to house a state-of-the-art generator, which he meticulously kept in top-notch operating condition. However, one cannot think of Dave without thinking also of Maggie; in so many ways they complemented one another and made a good and loving match. May Dave rest in peace with the Lord's blessing, and our thoughts and prayers are also with Maggie during this difficult time.------John (and Marylu) Schoch

December 29, 2016

Sorry for your loss may you draw comfort from Gods word at Hosea 13:14. L Ohio

Walt and Linda LeCates

December 28, 2016

Our brother-in-law, David, was a very special person; he had a smile that would light up the world. He was a big teddy bear and his hugs were the best. When he was working at GE with my husband, he wanted Walt to introduce him to his sister. Walt said, no, he would have to do that himself. David thought that was very unfair. He finally got up the courage and that led to a perfect match and over 50 years of marriage to Marcella. David had a laugh that was unmistakable, and he was a great storyteller. He would tell us about things that would happen while growing up on the family farm and the one-room schoolhouse he attended. Those stories always ended with a hearty chuckle and a big smile.
David, you were more than a brother-in-law, you were a friend. You will be greatly missed.

Barbara Abbate

December 28, 2016

RIP Dave
Thoughts and prayers to your family

December 28, 2016

May the God of all comfort grant you peace and strength during your time of sorrow. Psalms 9:9,10.

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