David G. Ely

David G. Ely passed on August 31, 2023, at age 80. David is survived by his three children, sons, Christian and Justin, and his daughter. His daughter-in-law, Jane Zagajeski; his grandson Quinlan; his brother Richard and his wife Pricilla; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Gary and Mellisa Hozempa, David and Jackie Hanhurst; Jean Ely; and countless nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Joanne.
David was adored by his children, with whom he was very close. He was loved and respected by countless people in the communities he touched. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Dave was a proud Navy veteran who was an airman stationed at Naval Station Norfolk from 1960 to 1964. After his discharge, he began his career in publishing, becoming a respected leader with companies such as McGraw Hill, Chilton, and Billboard. In 1977, Billboard asked David to move to their Nashville office, where he served as circulation manager and eventually publisher for Amusement Business. In 1982, he started his own fulfillment business called Sunbelt. As Sunbelt grew, Joanne joined the company and helped Dave develop a highly successful niche fulfillment service with over seventy employees managing the mailing list of over 120 publications. They sold the company and retired in 2016.
Dave was a devout and cherished member of Holy Family Catholic Church. He served the church by leading the effort to build their new home in Brentwood and traveled to Haiti several times to share his time and knowledge on various projects. Additionally, he volunteered at Grace Works and advocated for gun control and women's rights. He extended his generosity to countless organizations, including Holt International Adoption Agency, National Public Radio, and UNICEF. An endowed scholarship will be established in his name at Benton Hall in Nashville and The Winston School in Short Hills, New Jersey. He also served on the H.O.A. for Belle Rive II.
David was a kind, wise, and elegant man who his family and countless friends, colleagues and neighbors will forever cherish and miss.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM on October 7, 2023, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Rd, Brentwood, TN. The family will receive family and friends at 10:00 AM. A reception will be held at the church immediately after the service. His remains will be interred at Saint John's Church in Lambertville, New Jersey, on April 13, 2024, at a time to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the David G. Ely Scholarship Fund at Benton Hall Academy in Nashville or the David G. Ely Scholarship Fund at The Winston School of Short Hills, NJ.
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