David Leon Eycleshymer Sr. joined his many angels on Sunday February 6, 2022, just after celebrating his 90th birthday. David was born on January 15, 1932. Weeks prior to his birthday, he kept reminding his five living children that he had a “special” birthday coming up, in which many of us acted surprised and in denial. His children did come through with a small surprise 90th celebration at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury MA. The gathering was attended by his loving family.
David resided in Westborough at the Highlands Retirement community for the last 6 years. He enjoyed participating in many activities, including weekly dates with several residents for cribbage, chess, puzzles, and conversations over coffee. He spent afternoons and evenings watching Boston sports, in which he could recite years of historical facts for Red Sox, Celtics, and New England Patriots games. He could also be found assembling many airplane models from WW I and II era, which were then hung from his ceiling and admired by all.
David was born in Newton to his parents George W Eycleshymer II deceased in 1993, Dorothy H (Bellamy) deceased in 1971. He had one older brother George W Eycleshymer Jr deceased in 1994. His brother was married to Shirley M. Eycleshymer deceased in 2010, who had three daughters, Daryl (Eycleshymer) Brown and husband Harold of Bethlehem NH, Lisa (Eycleshymer) Blais and husband Robert of Boylston, MA, and Erica E (Eycleshymer) Davis of Omaha, NE.
He followed his father and mother by participating in the Freemasons joining the Masonic Lodge in Newton. He had many roles in the Mason’s over the past 69 years and held many positions including master of his lodge, and the equivalent of in the York Rite and Scottish Rite as a 32nd degree mason, and a member of the Shriners. David was proud to have the privilege of raising his three sons in the masonic lodge. He was also an active member of the Newton Methodist church while growing up in the Newton, Auburndale communities outside of Boston.
David was a proud veteran who served for 3 years in the US Army from 1951 to 1954. He was part of the Korean war conflict and stationed in Okinawa Japan for most of his tour in communications as a Sergeant. We heard many stories of his life in Japan, many of them numerous times!
David earned a BS degree from Northeastern University in Boston as a Mechanical Engineer in 1958. This was the same year he married his loving wife Ruthe Elizabeth (Stone) who he shared her life with for 46 years. Ruthe passed away in May of 2004. They lived in various towns within the greater Boston area but settled in Wayland for more than 35 years to raise their six children.
He worked as a mechanical engineer for several companies but the longest was AT&T in Andover where he retired at the age of 58 after twenty-six years of service at the company.
David was very proud of his family. He was a father of six, uncle of seven, grandfather of five, and great grandfather of two. His surviving family members include, starting with the eldest daughter, Judith A Eycleshymer and partner Sylvia A Mannino of Windham, ME, David L Eycleshymer Jr and wife Terri of Southport, NC, Laurie A Brown and husband Allen Sr. of Hudson, Kristin A Logan and husband Glen of Lunenburg, William “Bill” G. Eycleshymer and partner Connie Hryniewich of West Ossipee NH, and deceased son Andrew “Andy” Bruce Eycleshymer who passed away in 1996. His grandchildren are Jami Eycleshymer of Bolton (daughter of David Jr and Terri) with a son aged 14 Tyler and Katheryn Eycleshymer (McCarthy) married to Patrick, parents of 1 year old Mason. Daughter Laurie and Allen Brown are parents of three other grandchildren, Sarah A Brown fiancée to Sean Coen of Leominster, Allen Jr of Clinton and Justin R with partner Janet of Westborough.
He spent many years introducing his children to the outdoors by camping and hiking primarily in the NH White mountains. He continued to be an avid daily hiker well into his mid-80’s with an extensive knowledge of the trails and parks in the greater Boston area. He was also a member of the 4,000-Footer club of the White Mountains, completing all the summer hikes on every 4K mountain elevation in NH. In addition to hiking in the mountains, David enjoyed traveling with his children. Some milestone trips included exploring Washington, DC, Los Angeles, CA and Acadia National Park, ME.
David had a strong faith in God and the power of positive thinking and prayer. He was a long-time member of Edwards Church in Framingham, serving in many roles as a Deacon, Trustee, Secretary and Board member.
He was always up for an adventure with us, always smiling, very humble, and appreciated the simple things in life. We will forever remember his positive attitude, love of life, and most importantly how proud he was of his large family he created with his wife Ruthe. Rest in Peace Dad, Uncle, Grandpa, Great Grandpa you will be missed…
We welcome all to attend visiting hours from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Wednesday February 23, 2022. We will be having a private family service for David following the visitation from 6:00 pm to 7:00pm. Services will be held at the John C. Bryant Funeral Home, 56 Pemberton Road, Wayland.
A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held at Edwards Church in Framingham on Saturday April 9, 2022 at 1:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, we have set up a memorial fund in his name. Please send donations to Edwards Church Memorial Fund, 39 Edwards St. Framingham, MA 01701. These funds will be utilized to support local charities and Edwards Church.