David Alan Poleski

David was born in Royal Oak, MI and grew up in Gibraltar, where his happiest memories were created of boating in Lake Erie and fishing with his friends. He lived briefly in Paw Paw, MI and then moved to New Jersey and finished high school in Red Bank. He graduated from Duke University and served 4 years in the United States Navy as a Naval Flight Officer on the P-3 Orion, deployed to the Mediterranean area between 1969 and 1973. After his military service, David trained as a physician and worked in his private practice in pediatrics in Presque Isle, ME for 10 years, followed by a career in emergency medicine in Maine, Michigan, and Australia. His favorite pastimes included collecting coins and comic books, studying history and growing vegetables in his garden.
He is survived by Carole, his wife of 53 years; two daughters, Karlen (Barry) Clayton and Andrea (Drew) Welsh; two sisters, Jayne (Robert) Anderson and Avis (David) Withers; grandchildren Sadie Clayton, Elinor Gorelick, Brennan Clayton, Lex Welsh, and Sammy Welsh; nieces and nephews.
A private memorial service will be held in the spring, with scattering of his ashes in his beloved Lake Erie.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Grosse Ile Nature and Conservancy would be appreciated.
Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy
P.O. Box 12
Grosse Ile, MI 48138
www.ginlc.org