David James Gilbride

SURF CITY - David James Gilbride, 70, an 8-year resident of Surf City passed away on October 29, 2023 follow a lengthy battle with sinonasal cancer.
Born in Queens, NY, in 1953 to James and Florence Gilbride, David is survived by his wife of 21 years, Patty, his children, Brion, Daniel and Megan, grandchildren Timothy, Kenneth, Jack, Sullivan and Emmett, and his siblings Tom (72), Ann (66), and Margaret (62).
Growing up on Long Island in the 60's David excelled academically, eventually skipping an elementary school grade. This later allowed him to graduate from St. Jon the Baptist High School at the age of 16. David had made a brief detour in High School when he entered a Franciscan Seminary to study for priesthood.
Short after turning 17 David, with his parents' permission, enlisted in the US Air Force where he served as a Combat Targeting Technician/Instructor/Competitor. David was Honorably Discharged in August of 1974 after attaining the rank of E-5, and entered Long Island's Dowling College.
While David majored in English and Creative Writing, he took a job driving a delivery truck for Gulf Oil Company - rising rapidly through the ranks. At some point he was advised to switch his studies to business and did so. He would finish his career at Gulf in 1986 in the midst of the Gulf/Chevron merger with the title of Coordinator of Retail Marketing for the New York/New Jersey Marketing District.
These years also saw his 1976 wedding to the late Maureen (Seely), and the births of his children. While David would assume senior management positions at various multi-national and regional oil companies, most of his energy was devoted to raising his children as a single Dad. David encouraged their higher education, and each has earned graduate degrees on their own - a source of incredible pride.
In the course of doing business David was frequently served with legal documents by the local Sherriff's Office, usually by an office named Patty. After seven years of flirting David was finally able to get a date, and in 2002 David "tied the knot" with Patty, with whom he retired to Surf City in 2015. Finding retirement a bit boring. David took several local jobs, finishing up as Town Manager for the Town of North Topsail Beach.
As a resident of Surf City, but an employee of North Topsail Beach, David was able to gain an appreciation for the many challenges faced by Topsail Island municipalities. While guiding North Topsail Beach through the worst days of the pandemic, David was able to attend legislative hearings in Raleigh, participate in Topsail Island Shoreline Protection Committee meetings, and zoom conferences with federal representatives. David was sad to give up this position upon diagnosis of his cancer.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in David's name to support the work of Franciscans with the poor. Donations can be made online at www.stanthonysguild.org.
And now a note from Patty...
The above obituary was written by Dave, my husband, over a month ago. Dave's life was marked by helping others and using humor whenever possible to help people get through a difficult situation.
His kids...who he helped guide to be terrific, kind and well-educated people.
His grandsons...who he has shared more giggles and ice cream with than i ever thought possible.
His siblings...who are a network of four that not only have shared history, but have continued regular conversations through this life filled with care, compassion, and always a good laugh.
His employees and employers, who he has always left in a better place after his departure than before his arrival.
His friends, who are from all walks of life, that would have a difficult time finding anything bad to say about the guy. He'd give the shirt off his back for any of them and has maintained friendships from back in his USAF days.
And of course, me, his wife. Dave has been my rock for 21 years. Always ready to listen when I said it was important and always ready to act when he knew it was important. Dave would tell you what great care I have given him during these last 3 cancer-filled years. But, no one knows the care he has given me. The way he has comforted me when I couldn't bear the thought of losing him. The way he has helped to simplify my life for when he is no longer here - selling his car, straightening out finances, planning his funeral and cleaning out dresser drawers just to name a few. Dave has listened to my thoughts, my fears and my rants regularly - much like he has since we took our vows.
Dave lived his life helping people have better lives right to his last breath. He took a genuine interest in other people and always left them feeling good about themselves.
I can't even begin to tell you how much I'm going to miss him and how thankful I am that he came into my life. I have learned much from him and WWDD (what would Dave do) is now a common phrase that runs through my head. It was meant to be that his company was in my jurisdiction for serving papers. He used to joke that after 7 years of serving him summonses he was running out of ways to get sued and thank God i finally caved and let him take me out on a date.
Thank you all for being an important part of his life as I'm sure he was in yours.
Love, Patty
A graveside service for family only will be held on Friday, November 3 at 10:00am at Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Visiting time at the funeral home will be for family only at 9am on Friday, November 3rd 2023. A procession to Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery located at 110 Montford Point Road, Jacksonville, NC will follow at 10am, also for family only.
On Saturday, November 4th, at 11am we welcome all family and friends to join us to celebrate Dave's life and share in the comfort of prayer at The Gathering, 304 Wilmington Ave, Surf City, NC.