David Goldberg

Goldberg, David, - of Delray Beach, FL and Margate, NJ, The iconic actress, and bawdy humorist, Mae West once remarked, "You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."

David Goldberg personified this notion. And, if given the opportunity, he probably would have made fast friends with Mrs. West, considering his uncanny ability to find humor in any situation, and a preternatural quick wit.

Born June 18, 1949, in Atlantic City, NJ, David was the middle child to Martin and Evelyn Goldberg, with an older brother, Howard, and younger sister, Beth. The family lived in Margate, NJ, and seemingly from the time he could walk and talk, David had an unabashed love of a life well lived.

When David was 13 years old, his grandmother gave him money to buy a book to read, "education was important", she told him. David somehow managed to get to the horse track that afternoon. He turned his book money into a nice payout, and a fun day at the races. But he was sure to pay his grandmother back her share and let her know he "learned a great deal" at the track that day.

His more formal education started at Atlantic City High School, where he graduated in 1967, and proudly captained the formidable Viking's Bowling Team. It was around this time he first met his future wife, and fellow Margate, NJ native, Andi Goldberg. Although they didn't start dating till several years later, they frequently went out in similar social circles, and formed an everlasting friendship.

When it came time to apply for college, undeterred by the daunting prospect of applying to schools, David met with a local admissions officer from NYU, and in typical fashion, quickly made friends and talked his way into acceptance on the spot. They never even looked at his application. Years later, David was fond of saying, "don't let facts get in the way of a good story," and he never did.

At NYU, David majored in Business, graduating in 1971, and soon thereafter took a job as a buyer for Abraham and Straus in Brooklyn, and then Gertz Department Store in Flushing. As much as he liked New York, David's heart was back home with his family, and friends, and he went back to Margate whenever he could. On one such occasion, he was reacquainted with his old high school friend Andi, and in 1974, just five weeks after their first date, they were engaged to be married.

David and Andi tied the knot on August 24, 1975, and eventually settled down back in Margate, where David took a job as a salesperson with his father's company, Howard Sales. David thrived with the company, opening new sales routes and bringing in new customers, and helped develop it into one of the leading wholesale businesses in the state of New Jersey.

On April 12, 1977, David and Andi welcomed the birth of their son, Larry, and from that day forward nothing mattered more to David; Larry was his greatest point of pride.

In 1985, with a focus on providing for his young family, David, and his partner Tom D'Onofrio, struck a deal to acquire a local commercial laundry, and started Atlantic City Linen Supply. Over the course of the next three decades, David's leadership transformed the company from a small business to the largest laundry operator of its kind on the Eastern Seaboard, with dozens of clients, and hundreds of employees.

Loyal to a fault, and unfailingly altruistic, there wasn't a person in need that David didn't hire, or a charitable request he didn't say yes to. Inspired by his parent's mantra of, "always do the right thing", David (and AC Linen) sponsored and contributed to countless causes over the years, and in 2012, he was recognized as the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year. When he wasn't working, he volunteered his time with Catholic Charities of Atlantic County, the Food Bank of Southern NJ, and JFS, among others, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Tisch MS Research Center of New York, and Linwood Country Club (where he served as President for over a decade).

The only thing bigger than David's heart, was his personality. Conspicuously convivial, David was everyone's best friend, the world's greatest dinner guest, and the wittiest person in any room. His infections laugh was instantly disarming, and with one smile you felt like you were the most important person in the world to him. That was his superpower; he made everyone feel special.

This gift also lent itself to winning a hand or two in poker. Instinctively gregarious, and born with the spirit of a gambler, David loved playing cards with friends, in tournaments, and just about anywhere he could. And he was good. In 1999 he finished 4th in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, and in 2021 he won a coveted WSOP Gold Bracelet.

Over the last ten years, David split his time between Margate and Delray Beach, FL., and spent his days playing cards, or on the golf course, and at dinners with friends. He enjoyed cruises and vacations around the world with Andi, summers down the shore, and frequent trips to Las Vegas with "the boys".

Earlier this June, on one of those trips to Vegas, David unfortunately caught the COVID -19 virus. David died on July 22, at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife Andi, his son Larry, and his brother Howard (Margaret), and sister Beth (Stan). He was cherished by his nephews, Dan, Eric, Michael, Jason, Matt, and Scott, and leaves behind a long list of adoring extended family and dear friends.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at Shirat Hayam, 700 North Swarthmore Avenue, Ventnor, NJ. The service will start promptly at 11 a.m., with receiving from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Please note: In consideration of COVID, anyone wishing to greet the family must wear a face mask. A livestream will be offered for those who cannot attend at www.JSGFunerals.com. Interment to follow at Shirat Hayam/Emeth Shalom Cemetery, Lincoln Road, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey.

Donations can be made to Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties, www.jfsatlantic.org, and to the Tisch MS Research Center of New York, www.tischms.org. Services in the care of J.S. Goldstein Funeral Home & Monuments, Mays Landing.