David S. Coon, Sr. born on June 8, 1933 in Newton, MA, son of Gerald & Edna Coon of Needham MA, passed away Wednesday, September 28, 2011 surrounded by his family.
Our Dad had a 60 year love affair with his bride of 51 years, Maureen K. Burke of Somerville, MA
They met during summer vacation in Rocky Nook, MA, a picturesque summer retreat on Duxbury Bay, where their families both had cottages. It was love at first sight and they lived that dream for 51 years.
Dad graduated from high school at age 15, later he when on to Northeastern where he graduated with a BSEE and a 3.95 average. Later he received a MBA as well as advanced studies in mathematics. He loved math, he said it was the only thing that made sense in the world all the time.
After college he went to work at Lockheed Sanders for some 35 years where he managed and dreamed up new ideas for the electronic Warfare ECM jamming systems division for the latest attack fighter aircraft. Dad traveled the world for his job but he always loved living in New Hampshire. He enjoyed sailing the New England coast with his family.
One of his fondest experiences was mentoring high school and grade school children in the Littleton, NH school system in math. He thought it was his duty to help others see the beauty of math and where it could take them.
Dad served in the Korean War and was stationed in Hakodate, Japan for the security agency as an electronic countermeasures specialist; he reached the rank of sergeant. While there he learned to speak Japanese fluently.
Dad always said he was born an engineer, and then became a husband and father.
He can now continue his love affair with his dream girl he met that summer day so many years ago.
He is survived by his two sisters Alice and Nancy, a brother Robert, 8 children, Dave Jr. John, Karen, Sandy, Diane, Paul, Jennifer and Doug, and 8 grandchildren.
Calling hours were held on Friday October 7, 2011 from 12-1pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 15 Birch Street, Derry. A celebration of life was celebrated at 1PM. Burial followed in Forest Hill Cemetery,E. Derry.