GILFORD ---- Ned ‘David’ Witham Sr., 81, of Wesley Woods, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, October 2, 2023, due to complications from Parkinson’s Disease. He was surrounded by his loving family in his last days.
Dave was born on October 27, 1941, in Plymouth, NH, the son of Cedric and Francena (Eastman) Witham.
Dave attended Laconia schools, graduating from Laconia High School in 1959. He attended Keene State College, graduating with a BED in Social Studies Education in 1963 where he met his wife of 60 years, Marlene. He attended SUNY New Paltz and Albany, attaining a Master’s Degree in History and Bridgewater State College attaining a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration. Dave started his teaching career in Chatham, NY, then moved to Whitman, MA teaching at Braintree High School. Upon returning to the Lakes Region in 1978, Dave taught and was the Athletic Director at Gilford High School and then became the Assistant Principal at Laconia High School, remaining there until his retirement in 2000.
Dave enjoyed history, woodworking, steam boating, reading, snow and water skiing, the Red Sox and Patriots, and most of all spending time on the family property on Cow Island, Lake Winnipesaukee. Dave was an avid Boy Scouter, achieving his Eagle Badge and leading Cub Scout, Webelos, and Boy Scout groups. Dave coached Little League baseball and taught water skiing. Dave was honored by Governor John Sununu for his work with the NH Council of Children and Youth in 1987.
Dave and Marlene designed and built their dream house ‘Solar Maples’ in 1981. After retirement, they restored their second antique cape in Sanbornton. Marlene and Dave returned to Gilford residing at Wesley Woods after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s. Dave was a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church in Gilford, NH, singing in the choir for over 30 years. He held various positions with the church and went on two mission trips to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
During his retirement Dave worked at Shaker Village as a tour guide and was the President of the Sanbornton Historical Society for over 10 years. After his diagnosis, Dave discovered his love to hit the bags at the Downtown Gym with his Rock Steady Boxing team.
Dave is survived by his loving wife Marlene (Childs) Witham; sons, Ned David Witham, Jr. and his wife Carolyn, of Canterbury, their children Cedric, Shaylee, Noah and his wife Olivia, their daughter Julia, and Margaret Witham, Aaron and his wife Alison of Gilford, their children Ryan and Jordan, Tho and his wife Thu, of Sugarland, TX and their children Vy and Phi, and Oscar Paez of Willmar, MN; his daughter Bethany and her husband Jameson, of Sanbornton, their children Cameron, Nathaniel, and Evan, Hien Nguyen and Lan Pham; his brother James Witham and his wife Pam, of Essex, MA, nieces Karen, Margery, Laurie, Laurene, Shannon and Jennifer, and nephew Glenn. In addition to his parents, Dave is predeceased by his sisters Winona Blake and her husband Howard and Janet Fortnam and her husband Robert.
There will be no calling hours.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday October 14, at 1:00pm, at the First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH 03249.
For those who wish the family suggests memorial contributions in David’s name be made to the Lakes Region Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 7312, Gilford, NH 03247 and/or First United Methodist Church, 18 Wesley Way, Gilford, NH 03249.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.