David L. Bordas

David L. Bordas, 78, of Charlevoix passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 23, 2024. He was born on January 20, 1946, in Vanderbilt, Pennsylvania, the son of John and Johanna (Wisilosky) Bordas. 

David graduated from high school in Connellsville, PA, and enlisted in the United States Navy in 1964, which was something he had always dreamt of. He served for 10 years in the Navy – serving one tour in Vietnam from 1970 to 1971 – and then served in the Coast Guard 12 years before retiring as Senior Chief Petty Officer in 1986. He took great pride in his job as a Damage Controlman and instructed others in welding and fire safety. He frequently visited the Penn Rose Diner near the base in Philadelphia, and it wasn’t just because he liked the food; one of the waitresses, Linda Teal, had caught his eye the very first time he visited in 1971. The two would become husband and wife on November 4, 1972, at the Naval Base Chapel in Philadelphia, and they would go on to raise their two children together. They moved many times during his career; from New Jersey, to New York, to Charlevoix, to Nantucket, to Oklahoma City, and finally back to Charlevoix where they would plant their roots. Upon his retirement from the Coast Guard, he worked for a short time at Kit-Carson Lumber, and then at Harbor Industries as a mill worker for 20 years. 

Dave loved his family and spending time with them more than anything else…they were his world. He was a simple, humble man, and was never one to boast about his accomplishments. He enjoyed traveling across the world and was able to visit Hawaii, Australia, Tahiti, Ireland, Haiti, Japan, the Philippines, and Normandy, which was one of his most cherished trips with his son David. He was also an avid reader and loved to learn as much as he could through books as well as through watching documentaries. He liked to sit at home and watch birds and other wildlife out the back window. Dave had been a member of the Fleet Reserve Association for many years and was a member at the First Baptist Church in Charlevoix. In years past, he had been a member of the American Legion in Vanderbilt, PA, the VFW in Charlevoix, and the Charlevoix Rod and Gun Club. 

Dave is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Linda Bordas; his two children, Dawn Smith of Erie, PA, and David Bordas of Peekskill, NY; his sisters, Joan (Edward) Stanko of Scotia, NY, Marlene Riginn of Vanderbilt, PA, and Vicky (Ron) Basinger of Scottdale, PA; his grandchildren, Branden (Ariana) Smith, Kennedy Bordas, Kyleigh Rohler, Reagan Bordas, and Ashlyne Rohler; and his great-grandchildren, Brayden, Sophie, and Ben Smith. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his brothers, Bobby Wisilosky, Richard Bordas, and John Bordas. 

A funeral service will take place at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at the First Baptist Church, 6781 M-66, Charlevoix, MI 49720. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, November 29, at the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. David will be laid to rest at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, MI on Tuesday, December 3, at 1:30 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, P.O. Box 5014 Hagerstown, MD 21741. 

Arrangements are in the care of the Charlevoix Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign his online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com