David Alvin Poole (October 16, 1933 - January 01, 2023)

In loving memory of
David Alvin Poole
  • October 16, 1933
  • -
  • January 01, 2023

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Obituary

David Alvin Poole, 89, of Oak Hill, Florida, formerly of Groton, CT, sadly left us on Jan. 1, 2023, following a battle with liver cancer. Born on Oct. 16, 1933, in Brockton MA, to the late Norman Chester Poole of Rockland, MA. and Vera Height Hawkins Poole, formerly of Wallingford, VT., David was a true New Englander known for his Yankee ingenuity.

To begin with, David leaves us this message which his friends will appreciate: “Please don’t weep for me – I had a wonderful time!”

David had a lifelong love of boating and would often paraphrase Kenneth Grahame‘s classic The Wind in the Willows:  “Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing–absolutely nothing–half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” A member of Shennecossett Yacht Club for 55 years, he served in many capacities. David also restored several wooden and fiberglass boats. Most notable was “Luau,” a 36-foot wooden sloop, after its hull received significant storm damage.  At the 1983 Mystic Seaport Wooden Boat Show, “Luau” received a trophy for “Most Improved.”

David received a mechanical engineering degree from what is now UMass Dartmouth in 1956. He was employed by the Department of the Army at Springfield Armory, holding positions in weapons design, analysis, and project management. He was awarded a patent in the gun mechanism field while at the Armory and maintained his Massachusetts Registered Professional Mechanical Engineer certification until retirement. When Secretary of Defense McNamara closed the Armory in 1967, David transferred to the department of the Navy with the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Conversion and Repair at the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics. Receiving an MBA from University of New Haven in the mid-1970s, he held several positions including providing contract administration, design review, and management positions in engineering, quality assurance and material supply.

Additionally, David enjoyed white tailed deer hunting, salt and freshwater fishing, as well as many years of motorhome travel. Retiring in 1988, he joined his wife’s antique business traveling throughout New England and Florida for 19 years until her passing in 2007. He continued the antique business until 2019.

David is survived by a son Daniel Norman Poole (Michelle) in CT, a daughter Elizabeth Marie

Bailey in FL, a niece Valerie Dawson in Arizona, and 3 grandchildren, Steven Bellefleur in FL, and Victoria Poole and Daniel David Poole both in CT.  He was predeceased by his wife Joan Barrus Poole of Athol MA, his sister Marlene Dawson of Wallingford, VT and grandson, Michael Bailey of WA.

 

At this time, no memorials or services are scheduled, per David’s request.


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  1. Cecil Thompson says:
    18 Jan 2023
    I first met Dave and his wife at one of their early yard sales in the late 70s or early 80s. and fishing was brought up because of my interest in his garage full of poles and gear. I spent many years with Dave in his motor home fishing up in New Hampshire. We shared the antique show circuit along with Dave and Joan at Farmington and Brimfield. Always a Trout dinner at their house in Groton after our fishing trips where bragging rights always came up, Dave usually won. Tight lines my friend and whisper in my ear through the wind while I fish alone," go lightly Chuck, it's a big one".

  2. Nancy Suchodolski Hayes says:
    15 Jan 2023
    To David’s Family: Sad News!

    I was your Dad’s Secretary in Frank Jacob’s group at SUPSHIP, now, some 50 years ago…
    I’m fondly remembering a Christmas party your Mom & Dad hosted at their house in the 70’s. {now thinking how young you both were.}
    My life moved on to working at the ‘Sound Lab’ in New London, and after marrying in 1982, and after our daughter was born in 1986 my family continued to connect with your Dad & Mom (mostly at Brimfield) Antique Shows, usually twice a year.
    Your Dad was a wonderful family man. He {…they} always expressed great pride in all of you, …his Family.

  3. Rosemary and Allen says:
    11 Jan 2023
    We lived across the street from David and Joan for 33 years and they were a constant presence in our and the lives of our children. David was a man of many talents and he generously shared them with us. He also came to our aid with loaner generators and extra lines on our sailboat during hurricanes, spontaneous evening rides on Red Boat and gifts of freshly caught fish. We were privileged to have called him our Friend. His quote of not weeping at his death because he had a wonderful time, says it all though we can’t help but shed a few tears.

  4. Robert O. Westhaver, Jr. lit a candle:
    10 Jan 2023
    Lit since January 10, 2023 at 1:32:25 PM

  5. Robert O. Westhaver, Jr. says:
    10 Jan 2023
    David was a close friend of my father; they bought their first boats together including the Narwhal, a 36 Novi they hitchhiked to Nova Scotia to buy and ran her back to MA. I have known him my whole life and he helped me aclimate to EB when I moved down here in 1983. We were neighbors on Eastern Point and at the Shennecossett yacht club for many years. I always enjoyed his company and his inspirational love of boating. He will be missed.

  6. Lawrence H Bentley says:
    10 Jan 2023
    Dave and Joan were neighbors of Marcia and I as well as being boating comrades at SYC. Dave actually proposed me for membership about 1966. Our boats were next to each other on two docks and our children grew up together and attended the same Groton schools. Dave and I had the same interests. We both were Engineers, loved hunting and fishing and shared these same interests with our sons. I have been retired, living in SC since about 2000 and therefore do not have any recent memories but the prior memories are great.
    Larry Bentley

  7. George Baloga says:
    10 Jan 2023
    To David's Family,

    I met David when I joined the boat club here in Groton years ago during a work party. We hit it off while cleaning up and spreading mulch, and enjoyed the little time we shared together talking about our projects and the things that kept us busy. He was a joy to be around and I'll miss him dearly. We had some good times and laughs as we were both a little hard of hearing so you can just imagine our conversations! Even our two minute conversations as he walked by my home were always something to look forward to. I only wish I had met him earlier. Smart man, a lot of sense and ingenuity, always knew how to keep busy and productive. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to all of you!

  8. Liz Bailey posted an image:
    10 Jan 2023
    David in his florida home
    David in his florida home

  9. Stan Gladych says:
    09 Jan 2023
    A very close friend of mine! Stan

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