David M. Towle, of Roslindale, MA passed away on February 24, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife, Mary, their children, grandchildren, and other extended family. David died peacefully after a long period of mental and physical decline due to Alzheimer’s disease.
David was born and raised in Dorchester, the second of four loyal brothers, Bernie, Billy, and Jack, and last surviving son of Helen and Bernard Towle. Shortly after graduating from Hyde Park High School, David met Mary Louise Campbell, his Marylou, also from Dorchester. He enlisted in the Massachusetts National Guard and, after completing his service, married Marylou in 1962. They were together, until his passing, for over 63 years.
David and Marylou raised seven children in a one-bathroom, three-bedroom, house in Hyde Park, where their children’s friends were always welcome. Though the house was small, their home produced an outsized amount of mischief, noise, laughter, and love. … Also, laundry.
For 38 years David was employed as a technician at Verizon, and was a proud member of IBEW Local 2222. Following his retirement, for the next 21 years, David worked part-time at George Wright Golf Course in Hyde Park, a job and community of friends and fellow golfers which he loved. Throughout his life, David possessed natural athletic ability, played many sports, was an avid runner, but loved ice hockey and golf most of all. His love of sports was surpassed only by his love for his family, for his friends, and for storytelling, in that order. David’s disease was especially unfair to a man who valued his people and was valued for his wit, but despite it all, his family continued to revel in glimpses of his true spirit until the very end.
David is survived by his loyal, loving, and unwavering wife, his Marylou, and their children and spouses: Maureen H. Towle of Roslindale, David H. and Maureen (Hatch) Towle of Roslindale, John P. Towle and Maureen (Doherty) Towle of Hyde Park, Robert M. Towle of Dorchester, Steven B. Towle of Hyde Park, Catherine A. Towle of Roslindale, and Lauren (Towle) Manning and her husband George Manning of West Roxbury. He also leaves behind grandchildren and great-grandchildren whom he loved deeply and never, ever missed a chance to indulge, spoil, and lead into fun and, often, trouble.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Holy Name Church, West Roxbury, on Wednesday, March 4 at 11 a.m and live streamed. Relatives and friends and invited. Visiting hours in the P.E. Murray-F.J. Higgins-George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, 2000 Centre Street, West Roxbury on Tuesday, March 3, 4 – 7 p.m. Interment private. In lieu of flowers, donations in David Towle’s memory may be made to the Zachary Anzalone Foundation, supporting people in need in the Parkway Community, at zacharyanzalonefoundation.org.
The Funeral Mass will be live streamed here.