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Dave and Jerry were married 51 years -- a wedding made in heaven between the hotshot Naval Aviator and the local Surf Queen. They raised three boys Rusty (Sheri), Randy, and Rob (Cindy) in Shadowlawn on a quiet corner of Rudee Inlet. Dave's fun-loving personality made him the host for many weekends of booze cruises, crabbing, fishing, swimming in the pool, and living life to the fullest. He truly enjoyed a good time surrounded by friends and family (especially his 12 grandchildren and 5 great grands).
Dave enlisted in the Navy shortly after graduating high school eventually becoming a naval aviator flying an A-5 Vigilante during the Vietnam War as part of his 20 years of service to our nation. After retiring from the Navy, Dave started his own computer software business but eventually migrated to the real estate industry. He first worked for Lawson Group to develop land in the Richmond and Hampton Roads area. But he soon realized his concern for the environment flipping to the conservation side of the real estate industry as the Director of Land Programs for the Nature Conservancy with a focus on preserving plots of land on the eastern shore of Virginia.
Dave's love for the environment was most apparent by his visits to his favorite place on earth. His parents purchased a small hunting camp on scenic Cedar Lake just outside Port Maitland, Nova Scotia. Named KEDAPANA after the four siblings, it soon became the family's summer vacation spot. KEDAPANA stayed in the family and was Dave's home away from home for many years. Its proximity to the Bay of Fundy allowed Dave many opportunities to handline haddock and pollack – fulfilling his lifelong passion for fishing.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 7th at the Virginia Beach United Methodist Church with a reception immediately following at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Eastern Shore Land Trust (https://veslt.org/donate) or a charity of one's choice.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
4 Entries
Gordon McClay
July 25, 2024
To the beautiful family of Dave, my best friend, my deepest sympathy. Words cannot express how much I loved Dave. The greatest friend a person could ever have! Growing up with Dave, Kent, Patty & Nancy was so much fun & joy. Playing basketball & soccer at Watertown High School with Dave was quite a lesson in life and certainly a lesson in competition so valuable later in my life. We joined the USN together under "the buddy system". We were able to keep in contact via visits/telephone but of course never often enough. I am sure both families are aware of the many, many "Gordie & Dave" stories. Rest in peace & God bless.
Janice Bridgeo
July 25, 2024
My sincere condolences on the loss of such a fine man. I knew your father/grandfather from my church in Beaver River which David attended and supported while spending his summers in Nova Scotia.
I will remember his beautiful smile and his beautiful soul.
Peter Henderson
July 25, 2024
Dave was a dear friend and a great mentor. I had the good fortune to get to know Dave through work during his tenure at The Nature Conservancy. Dave´s accomplishments in land protection on the Eastern Shore are unprecedented, though he would never take credit where it´s due. He was incredibly smart and naturally intuitive. This combination served him well as he solved the complicated issues of his job in land preservation involving legal documents, grants, and a multitude of personalities. He had a cool demeanor and a perpetual smile. All of these admirable traits served him well as a Naval Aviator I can imagine, though he never spoke much to me about it. His love was the land and protecting it, only second to his family and friends. He truly loved his family. Rest in peace my friend.
Peter Henderson
Carol
July 24, 2024
To all the members of Dave's family - None of you know me - My dear friend, Gordon McClay, shared with me the passing of HIS BEST FRIEND from Watertown High School, David Harris. I was a member of WHS graduating class of 1958. Times were so much kinder, simpler and, in many ways, much more genuine. Dave's name was known by most, if not all, Watertown High School's 1958 graduating class. He had the reputation of being a sincere, wonderful, caring member of our class. I, personally, didn't know Dave well - no classes together - no extracurricular events either - but, still, a fond memory of much younger days. I send to all Dave's family my sincerest, heartfelt sympathy; and I thank Dave for his service to our country. May God hold Dave tightly in his loving arms; and may He give you all strength, peace and courage during the difficult days ahead.
Prayerfully and sincerely, Carol Caporiccio (Quintiliani), Class of "58. WHS
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2002 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23454
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