David Joseph Gaboriault

David J. Gaboriault passed away at his home in East Boston on June 30,2025.
David was a graduate of New Bedford High School. He worked at Mass General Hospital in Mail Services for 37 years and worked in theaters throughout Boston over the last 30 years as an usher. His first show was in March of 1995, Les Miserables at the Colonial Theater, as he would proudly tell anyone. During his time at MGH, David was a champion working with the Volunteer department and training those volunteers who worked in Mail who had various disabilities.
He is survived by his brother Wayne and his wife Linda of Lakeville, MA and his sister Deb of Bridgewater, MA. David is also survived by his nieces, extended family, work colleagues, and friends.
David was predeceased by his parents, Eugene and Hilda, and his brother Paul.
Honoring David's wishes, there will be no formal ceremony. He requested to be cremated and brought to New York, a city that held so much joy and meaning for him. If you would like to make a donation in David's memory, please consider supporting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. 2025 – Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
David was a proud member of the MGH, Boston theater, and LGBTQ communities. His love and passion for theater is legendary. He recently celebrated 47 years of visiting New York to see musicals and plays. He also enjoyed traveling to theaters throughout New England and California and especially enjoyed times spent in London and Europe seeing shows. David would be ecstatic talking about his two favorite legends: Liza (although in his world she was "Minnelli") or Patti "Patti-Cake" LuPone.
He also loved to travel, go on cruises, and spend time in the summer at Camp-Camp in Maine. David had a special gift of lighting up a room whenever he walked into it. If quiet, the place would quickly transform into a loud laugh-a-thon with David telling stories.
Everyone who knew David loved and accepted him for who he was: a compassionate, caring, and devoted friend. As you reflect on David's life and the impact that he had on yours, the lyrics to "For Good" from Wicked seem like a fitting tribute to sum up what David meant to all of us.
For Good from Wicked I've heard it said That people come into our lives for a reason Bringing something we must learn And we are led To those who help us most to grow If we let them And we help them in return Well, I don't know if I believe that's true But I know I'm who I am today Because I knew you Like a comet pulled from orbit As it passes a sun Like a stream that meets a boulder Halfway through the wood Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But Because I knew you I have been changed for good It well may be That we will never meet again In this lifetime So let me say before we part So much of me Is made of what I learned from you You'll be with me Like a handprint on my heart And now whatever way our stories end I know you have re-written mine By being my friend Like a ship blown from its mooring By a wind off the sea Like a seed dropped by a skybird In a distant wood Who can say if I've been changed for the better? But Because I knew you Because I knew you I have been changed for good And just to clear the air I ask forgiveness For the things I've done you blame me for But then, I guess we know there's blame to share And none of it seems to matter anymore Like a comet pulled from orbit (like a ship blown from its mooring) As it passes a sun (by a wind off the sea) Like a stream that meets a boulder (like a seed dropped by a bird) Halfway through the wood (in the wood) Who can say if I've been changed for the better? I do believe I have been changed for the better And because I knew you Because I knew you, because I knew you I have been changed For Good To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of David, please visit our Tree Store.