CABOT – David Creighton, 79, of Cabot, passed away early Sunday morning, August 10, at his home.
He was in the arms of his loving family, on a beautiful Vermont summer night, under a full moon. It was his favorite type of night.
David was born March 29, 1946, in Waterbury, Conn. He was the third child of Eunice and Erwin Creighton, of Woodbury, Conn.
In 1964, he graduated from Woodbury High School and joined the United States Marine Corps (USMC), where he honorably served for four years. Some of his fondest memories of the USMC were those he made while stationed in Hawaii. There, he was a sergeant of the Pearl Harbor Honor Guard and was in charge of the honor guard for the Battleship Arizona memorial. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Dave earned his license as a journeyman electrician.
He married his late wife Denise in 1968; they were inseparable for 34 years until her passing in 2003. They had four daughters together and built a life to be proud of.
In 1983, Dave and his family moved to Cabot. He worked in Vermont State Parks for over 25 years, where he met his wife, Michelle, and they married in 2008.
Dave coached basketball, soccer and softball for Cabot School. When he wasn’t coaching, he could be found on the sidelines of his five daughters’ sporting events, cheering them on. He was an avid fisherman, and an even better storyteller.
Dave was a teacher of life, always willing to stop and teach about life, nature, fishing and how to be an amazing friend. He could stop you in your tracks with a point of view you hadn’t thought of. Challenge you to be open and kind to those of all walks of life. A master of kindness and conversation. Dave had a wonderful sense of humor and a knack for pranks.
He is survived by his wife Michelle Delaney, 17 years; five daughters, Nicole (Jay) Creighton Strong, Danville; Victoria (Aaron) Hill, Hardwick; Sarah Creighton, Wakefield, Mass.; Emily (Adam) Boynton, Derry, N.H.; and Mia Preston of Cabot; nine grandchildren, Lillian, Abigail, Ava, Letitia, Carter, Liam, Layla, Benjamin, Aelin; his great-grandchild, Alana, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Dave was preceded in death by his wife Denise, his parents Eunice and Erwin Creighton, his brother Donald Creighton and his sister Carolyn Fox.
Dave was happiest being found on a river casting a dry fly with his lifelong best friend, Phil Maxwell, standing just upstream. He loved the peace he found in nature. He loved a good cup of coffee. And most of all, he loved the family he built.
Friends and loved ones are welcome to join his family for a memorial services to be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, at noon at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 39 W. Church St, Hardwick. A celebration Of David’s Life will follow at the Willey Hall, 3084 Main St , Cabot. This will be a time to gather for food, family, and friends, to share stories, memories, and speeches. Dave’s eulogy will be given at 3:30 p.m., during this event, after that time, we will be asking anyone who would like to share a story or remembrance to speak.
Arrangements are with the des Groseilliers Funeral Home in Hardwick. Condolences and memories of Dave may be shared with his family at dgfunerals.com. In lieu of flowers, donations in honor of Dave can be made to Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT 05641-5369.
