David Elmer Gillette
9/30/41-4/8/20
Preceded by parents Elmer and Ruth Gillette and sister Pam LaForge
He was married for 49 years to Judith Gillette, who died on April 1 of 2022. He left sister Lyrel Gillette of Lynnfield, Janet Van Zoeren and husband Hal, niece Cynthia, nephew James of California; brother-in-law Ron LaForge of Peabody and nephew Andrew LaForge. He also leaves daughters: Jane Gillette and her wife Sylvia Scharf and grandchild Rosalind, all of Wakefield, and Catherine Mellen and her husband Dusty Mellen and grandchildren JD, Charlie and Isabella, of Reading.
David grew up in Lynnfield MA, went to Wakefield High and attended Northeastern University. He served in the Navy as a photographer for 4 years. He was a senior draftsman at General Electric, designing airplane and helicopter engines. He went from table drawings to increasingly sophisticated CAD and was proud of what he helped build, especially the Blackhawk helicopter. As a skilled woodturner he was an active member of Association of Revolutionary Turners. After he retired he spent countless hours walking the streets of Reading with his dog, and sharing a few moments with every neighbor he saw.
David and Judith met folk dancing. They kept bees together and went on adventures to rescue swarms. They held an annual Pie Party and a St. Nicholas open house for many years and were both active in their church. They were both lovers of nature.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 3pm at the Parish of the Epiphany, 70 Church St., Winchester. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Street parking only, plan accordingly. Masks will be required and please note that there will be some use of incense at the service.
The service will also be accessible online at the church Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ParishoftheEpiphanyWinchesterMA/featured
Celebration of Life Services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to https://www.vrcpitbull.com