David S. Dill
David Seward Dill, 84, of Holden, Massachusetts passed away on January 23, 2023, at
home with his loved ones by his side.
He leaves his wife of sixty years, Jeanette (McDonald) Dill, son Mark E. Dill of Tulsa Oklahoma, daughter Kimberley A. Whamond of Holden, Massachusetts, two sisters Marcia A. (Dill) Memery of Manchester, Connecticut, Barbara E. (Dill) Bell of New York, New York, seven grandchildren, Jason, Victoria, Nicholas, Joshua, and Emmaus Dill and Christopher and Margaret Whamond. He also leaves two great-granddaughters Cianna and Eeva Dill and many nieces and nephews.
Dave was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on May 12, 1938, he was the son of Francis P. and Esther R. (Tower) Dill.
He was a 1961 graduate of the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Rochester, New York.
Mr. Dill joined the United States Air Force after graduation and became a C-130 Hercules pilot in 1964. He completed one thousand hours of flight time and was elected to the one-thousand-hour club C-130 Hercules in 1966. Dave was awarded the Commendation Medal and Air Medal with clusters for service in Vietnam. He attained the rank of captain.
After leaving the Air Force in 1968, he was the Sales Service Manager at the Case-Hoyt Corporation in Rochester, New York. Dave joined Davis Press in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1970 and was appointed Sales Manager in 1973 and Vice President and General Manager in 1974. Dave was President of the Small Business Executive’s Club and a member of the Worcester Advertising Club. He remained at Davis Press for twenty years until he accepted the position of President at The Smith Print in Norwell, Massachusetts. Dave retired in 2004.
Dave was very active in civic and business organizations. He was a member and Senior
Warden of St. Michael’s-on-the-Heights Episcopal Church in Worcester. Throughout his life, Dave participated in Scouting, he was chairman of the Mohegan Council of Worcester County. He received his Eagle Scout Award in 1956 and earned the Silver Beaver award in 1993 which is the highest award given to a registered scouter of exceptional character and who has shown distinguished service within a council. After retiring, Dave continued his volunteer work weekly at Treasure Valley Scout Reservation in Rutland.
Dave was an active member of PINE (Printing Industries of New England). After many years of service, he became president in 1989.
Dave had a love and knowledge of gardening. Looking out at our yard, one can see some of his handiwork: a beautiful stone patio, the stone walkways and even the many stone walls surrounding our property; as well as the shed that he and his son, Mark, built together. For many years he created beautiful vegetable and flower gardens for which he received an honorable mention from the first annual Victory Garden contest in 1979. He spent the winter
months planning his gardens and growing the plants from seed. He enjoyed volunteering at the Worcester County Food Bank Gardens in Grafton.
Our family home in Rangeley, Maine was the place that Dave enjoyed throughout his life. At the end of each visit, he would always spend a few minutes taking in the beautiful view of the lake and surrounding mountains before leaving for another year.
Dave served on several committees at Briarwood Continuous Care Retirement Community in Worcester. He became President of the Board of Directors in 2011.
Dave’s family would like to extend their deepest appreciation to the Jewish Healthcare Hospice as well as Worcester Home Care Agency for their exceptional compassion and care during the last days of his life and to his friends and family for their expression of sympathy and thoughtfulness during this difficult time. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather who deeply loved his family. He will be missed and will remain in our hearts forever.
There are no calling hours. The family requests that flowers be omitted. Memorial contributions can be made to the Dill Thanksgiving Fund at St. Michael’s-on-the-Heights, 340 Burncoat Street, Worcester, MA 01606 or to St. Francis Episcopal Church, 70 Highland Street, Holden, MA 01520.
A Celebration for the Life of Mr. Dill will be held at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 70 Highland Street, Holden, Massachusetts 01520 on March 25, 2023, at 11:00 am.
Share
Let the family know you care by sharing this tribute.
I always loved to hear Dave’s New England accent and to look at his beautiful blue eyes. He and John shared so many memories of summer life at Moxy when growing up. I remember when Dave brought up yellow wax beans from his garden to Rangeley and gave me tons of them . I still think of him when I see those beans!! I regret that I shall be in Fl when you hold Dave’s memorial service. He was a good man who loved his family and country!
Another truly good man gone to soon. I enjoyed our conversation over coffee when he was still coming Treasure Valley on a regular basis.
I had the pleasure of meeting Dave many years ago at Treasure Valley as a member of the Friends of Treasure Valley. Dave was a great guy extremely generous and welcoming to me as a new member. I always enjoyed working with him and talking to him. He personified the scout spirit to me. I have missed his physical presence at camp lately but his spirit will always be there.
Grief never ends… But it changes. It’s a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor lack of faith. It is the price of love.
Author Unknown
I respected Dave’s ideas and comittment when he served as president of the council during my tenure as Scout Executive. We also enjoyed visiting the Woodworkers show in Springfield. I will miss his friendship.
Al Swenson
My husband and I have many fond memories for years of David and his beautiful wife Jay at the annual New Year’s Day brunch at the Melleckers.
Those were the days, especially for us then young neighborhood newcomers, the Dills were a couple we always looked up to and admired.
We are so sorry for your loss. Extending deepest sympathies and prayers.
Dawn and Jim
Woodridge Road
Dear Jeanette, Kim and family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Please know you all remain in my thoughts and prayers. Praying you continue to feel God’s strength and love surround you.
My sincere condolences and sympathy to the Dill Family. Dave and I bonded as Vestry members and Vietnam veterans.He was good and faithful servant. May he rest in peace.
My sincere condolences to the family. I had the privilege of serving with David at Briarwood for several years. He was a true “DOER”.
Dear Mother Dill,
I am sorry for the loss of Father Dill,
He will stay a part of you, allow him to stay in your heart, mind and memories. You were blessed with 60 years of Marriage. That’s a life time of growing together.
To Mark and Kim ,
You was blessed to have your Dad
See your children born and get to know them, to raise you .
He loved your Mom , you two and the Gbabies , big and little.
He lived his life devoted to so many wonderful things, but the Lord and his Family were his greatest joys.
I was blessed also to know and love him for a short time , I felt his love.
He seemed such a gentle soul, funny, caring .
I pray for your strength, peace and comfort. Sending big hugs to you all. And may Jesus love surround you all.
Love Roxie
Jeannette,
I will never forget Dave’s kindness toward me during Mark’s and my visit when we vacationed there several years ago. Dave was such a kind and gentle man. I am sorry for the loss of your husband. I pray that you are healing and are at peace.
Love,
Micah
Nearly a half-century later, Mr. Dill’s Sunday School lessons continue to enrich my life. Thank you.