David Milton Cargill, 90, of Franklin, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully after a brief illness at the Maples Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in Wrentham, Massachusetts, on Thursday, July 14, 2016.
David was the son of Walter Milton Cargill and Abbie May Briggs Cargill. He was born on August 6, 1925, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He spent parts of almost every summer of his life at the family’s summer residence in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, where he enjoyed swimming, fishing and digging for quahogs with family and friends.
While a student at Fairhaven High School, David participated in orchestra and band, played sports and was both president and valedictorian of his senior class.
David enrolled in the Naval Reserve on July 1, 1943, one week after he graduated from high school. After he attended Brown University for two semesters under the Navy V-12 Program, he transferred to Yale University which he attended for five semesters under the NROTC Program, graduating in 1946 with a BA degree, major Naval Science, and a commission as an Ensign in the Navy.
David married Clarice Joyce Cornforth in the New Bedford United Congregational Church on June 18, 1952.
Their daughter, Catherine, was born on July, 27, 1953 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Their son, Thomas, was born in Milford, Massachusetts on April 11, 1955. Their other son, Robert, was born on July 1, 1958 in Milford.
After living and working in Manchester, New Hampshire, as a pension planner for the R.P. Burroughs Co., David and his family moved to Franklin, Massachusetts.
David had decided to return to education and began work at Dean Academy and Junior College in Franklin. He taught mathematics (thru calculus), high school and college physics, stood dorm duty for two or three years, and was assistant football and baseball coach for two years.
At Dean, he became Department Head in 1957 and Dean of Faculty in 1963. During this time, he also earned his M.A. Degree in mathematics from Boston University in 1961 (he had already earned a Master of Education degree in Teaching of Mathematics from Boston University in 1952). David was a Professor of Mathematics at Dean Junior College for 37 years, 11 of which he was Dean of Academic Affairs. At Dean, he also chaired Dean faculty-staff 100th anniversary planning committee. During the event itself, they hosted speakers such as Barry Goldwater, David Brinkley, General Maxwell Taylor, Ashley Montagu, and others.
In addition to receiving a Certificate of Merit from the Dean Alumni Magazine, David’s other accomplishments at Dean included receiving three fellowships in teaching of mathematics: a G.E. Fellowship from RPI in 1957, a National Science Fellowship from Clark University in 1959, and a National Science Fellowship from U.C.L.A. in 1963.
When David received the U.C.L.A. Fellowship, the family drove across country to California, camping each evening. “I considered this trip the greatest family event of our lives,” said David.
David was a very engaged and enthusiastic man, always looking for an opportunity to participate in local groups and events with anyone and everyone, close friends and even complete strangers. An active church-goer, he was Lay Leader of the Franklin Methodist Church for three years (1960-63), a member of the Franklin Interfaith Council, a member of the church choir at the Fairhaven Methodist Church in his younger days and the Franklin Methodist Church at various times throughout his adult life. His interest in singing was apparent in his participation in the Silvertones singing group at the Franklin Senior Center.
He was well-known in town and had many interests, including fishing, playing cards (Cribbage, Pinochle and Bridge), going to the YMCA and also being on its Board of Managers, attending the Senior Center and serving on the Council on Aging, Rotary Club (where served as president), education( in addition to his career as a college professor, he also served on the Franklin School Committee as well as the Historical Commission), being a member of the ROMEO club and much more. But most of all, he loved spending time with his wife (Clarice), his children (Cathy, Tom and Bob), his relatives and friends.
In June, 2006, he was proud to be inducted into the Fairhaven High School Hall of Fame (sports category).
On September 1, 2014, David wrote the following letter to his children and grandchildren…
Some people write a letter or memoirs as they enter their twilight years. I am writing this brief letter with Ralph Emerson’s beautiful piece attached. I wholeheartedly endorse Emerson’s words. His writing expresses my own philosophy and meaning of life quite completely.
The one addition I will make is to follow Albert Schweitzer’s leadership drive for Reverence for Life and Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s [L]leadership in Reconciliation in South Africa and the World.
This is not a good-bye letter. But, as I think with loving memory of Clarice’s sister, Eleanore, my sister, Jo-Anne, and my brother, Richard, who is in the Alzheimer’s unit of a nursing home in Knoxville, TN., near his daughter, Debbie, I realize that time is precious and I want to write while I am still in sound mind and body (I think).
With deep love to each of you,
Husband, father, father-in-law, grandpa,
“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
David is survived by his beloved wife, Clarice (Cornforth) Cargill, of Franklin; his daughter, Cathy (Cargill) Koch, of Fayetteville, New York; his son, Tom Cargill, and his wife, Loraine (Kelly) Cargill, of Boynton Beach, Florida; and his son, Bob, and his wife, Barbara (Ellis) Cargill of Sudbury. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Christopher, Gretchen, Scott, Ben, Thomas and Kellie, in addition to his great grandchildren, Ethan and Norah, two step grandchildren, David and Sophie, along with his brother-in-law, Harold Cornforth, plus many nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Franklin United Methodist Church, 82 West Central Street, PO Box 313, Franklin, MA or the American Cancer Society.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, July 22, from 6-8pm at Ginley Funeral Home in Franklin and a memorial service will be held at the Franklin United Methodist Church on Saturday, July 23, at 11am.