SANFORD — David Roliston Woodbury Sr., of Sanford, died peacefully at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough on April 29, 2014.
Born to Roliston Woodbury and Alice Sheehan in Biddeford on June 19, 1922, he grew up in Biddeford and Saco, graduating from Thornton Academy and entering the Navy Reserve in 1940.
He served active duty Navy during World War II and was in most of the world’s oceans. He took pride that he went around the world at least four times and crossed the equator many times. The records of his journeys total 254,500 miles at sea. Although David was at war, he fondly remembered the days he spent abroad and the many foreign experiences he had with his shipmates, many of which he recorded and recounted to his family. As a boatswain’s mate aboard the USS Ozark, he spent many harried moments in the Pacific during the sea war with Japan. He would often speak about the frequent kamikaze attacks and their close calls. He rejoined civilian life in 1945 to marry Muriel Binette of Saco, a marriage of 69 years. They had two children, Kenneth and David Jr.
He moved to Sanford in 1953 and retired from a career with General Electric as a skilled tool maker in 1982. He spent his retirement years with Muriel traveling to Bermuda and Florida; and as members of the Sanford Country Club, they enjoyed many rounds of golf together and with friends. A beach lover, he and Muriel spent many summer days near Old Orchard and carried an easy-going philosophy throughout his retirement. A quick wit, David had a funny quip for everyone ”“ always leaving a laugh behind.
David spent many years coaching youth baseball in Sanford when his two sons were growing up. He enjoyed working with all the kids and gave much of his time to the sport, coaching and being president of the Sanford Little League for several years.
David was also an avid skier and for many years enjoyed weekends on the slopes in New Hampshire and Maine.
He was preceded in death by: two sisters, Patricia (Woodbury) Farah and Jackie Emery; and a grandson, Josiah Thomas Chase Woodbury.
He leaves: his wife, Muriel (Binette) Woodbury; sisters, Joyce (Emery) Semagin of Connecticut; a brother, John Benedict “Benny” Woodbury and his wife Stella (Trougakos) Woodbury of Saco; sons, Kenneth and David; grandchildren, Elizabeth Anne Woodbury, David Thomas Woodbury, and Teresa (Woodbury) Smith and her husband Randy; and four great-grandchildren, Keenan Woodbury, Hayden Thompson, Mary Catherine Smith and Anna Smith.
Friends and the public are invited to the Carll-Heald & Black Funeral Home, 580 Main St., Springvale from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday, May 6. Light refreshments will be served from 6-7 p.m. A private, family graveside service will be held on Wednesday, May 7. Remembrances may be forwarded to Thornton Academy in Saco, or Hospice of Southern Maine to benefit Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, where he spent his last, peaceful hours. Condolences may be expressed at www.blackfuneralhomes.com.
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