David Alexander Reade

David Alexander Reade from Colchester, Vermont, 51, passed away on September 27, 2023, in Middleton, MA. He was born on April 1, 1972, in Weymouth, MA to Ronald and Lillian Reade.
David was a military veteran serving 21 years in the United States Navy. After completing his basic training in Orlando, FL in 1990, he earned his bachelor's degree from New York University and went on to work on Nuclear Reactors aboard the USS Eisenhower while stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. He was then accepted and began training at OCS (Officer Candidate School) in Pensacola, FL. After finishing OCS and being commissioned as an officer in 1999, he completed flight school at Naval Air Station Meridian in Mississippi, where his dream of flying finally came true. He would be assigned to his first squadron at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, VA where he began flying the F-14 Tomcat with the VF-103 Jolly Rogers Squadron. The Tomcat would eventually be retired, and he transitioned to the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet with the VF-106 Gladiators Strike Fighter Squadron where he would teach other pilots how to fly. David also spent time aboard the USS John F. Kennedy and a second time on the USS Eisenhower. He completed multiple tours overseas, both in the air and on the ground, as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and would eventually retire in 2011 as Lieutenant Commander after an incredible and distinguished career. Ever since he was a kid, all he ever wanted to do was fly and every time you would talk to him about it, you could see and hear his excitement talking about doing what he loved to do. Being above the clouds was one of his favorite places to be where he always felt free and alive taking in all the beauty he would see.
Upon retiring from the Navy, David wanted to move to commercial aviation and become a pilot for the airlines. He first had a stint with Doss Aviation in Colorado Springs, CO where he was a flight instructor screening new Air Force Pilots. After nearly two years in CO, he got the call in 2014 to come fly for JetBlue Airlines and was based out of Boston, MA. As a First Officer, David loved his job with JetBlue and took full advantage of all the incredible places he flew to, with Aruba being one of his favorite spots to go. Often, while in Aruba, he would snorkel and spend time in the ocean with all the wildlife and other creatures he would find. His deep love of the ocean and all animals made this one of his favorite things to do and places to be.
Along with his love of the ocean and animals, David had a strong passion for music and was exceptionally gifted at playing the piano and writing his own music. If he was not flying, chances are he would be sitting at his piano playing and creating beautiful music. David was also extremely active in martial arts and earned his 3rd degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do at his local school. He would occasionally teach as well and loved spending his time learning and teaching his students.
Never letting his childhood escape, David had a hobby of collecting Legos from all over the world and would often enjoy building various Lego sets and creating unique displays. Throughout his life, he also enjoyed building his own model railroads and trains, creating elaborate set-ups in his garage and basement where he would work for hours doing what he loved.
You could also find David camped out in front of the TV watching his favorite Star Wars movies. His love of flying made these films the ones he would always watch. It wouldn't be a stretch to find him watching one of them while working on one of his many Star Wars Lego sets – forever the kid and never losing sight of the fact he was living his dream.
His family and faith were extremely important to him and would do anything for his family. Always quick with a joke and a unique sense of humor, David took great pride in making those around him laugh and have a good time in his company.
He leaves his father Ron, brother Bobby and nieces Therese, Hannah, Lindsey, and Maya. Predeceased by his mother Lillian and brother Ronnie.
Funeral services and arrangements will take place at a later date.