David J. Wilford

David J. Wilford passed peacefully on September 13, 2018 at his home in Wells, Maine, after a courageous fight with cancer. He was 57. 

David was born on August 12, 1961, with his twin brother Jeff, in Norfolk, V.A. to his parents Donald and Mary Jeanne Wilford (Perry). The son of a Navy commander, David grew up in Connecticut, California, Maryland and Maine, and graduated from York High School in 1979.

He married Amy Martinez in 1990 with whom he welcomed his first son, Dylan in 1992, and second son Asher in 1994. In 2018, David married Julie Gilbert, becoming stepfather to Julie’s children, Liam and Liliana.

David carried on family tradition by joining the Navy in 1982 and was stationed in the Persian Gulf. After his stint in the Navy, David worked as an apprentice at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, and ran a countertop and cabinet company, before ultimately becoming one of the key maintenance personnel at York Hospital. It was there that David found his true calling and was one of the most driven and knowledgeable crewmen there, proud of his expertise maintaining the boilers and generators that kept the hospital running smoothly.

He was adored and admired amongst his coworkers; everybody knew “Dave,” and he knew everybody. His smile was as big as his heart, and he had a glow that everyone was naturally drawn to. 

As an avid fan of classic rock-n-roll, David picked up the drums at a young age, and enjoyed playing with band “The Fugitive,” with brothers Jeff and “Rockin Don” Wilford, as well as frequent jam sessions with his brothers, sister and friends. Perhaps his favorite band was Led Zeppelin. David was also a prolific reader, primarily in the military history genre, and loved Mel Brooks films along with classic cinema and westerns. 

During the last year and a half, he and his wife Julie both shared a profound pleasure in each other’s company, traveling, watching sunrises, the ocean and cherishing everything they could in life with his new extended family. David’s passion was spending time creating memories with his two sons, whether it was cross-country road trips, camping, midnight pools swims with glow sticks, or just tossing the ball around in the backyard. 

David is survived by his wife, Julie Wilford of Wells, Maine; his sons, Asher and Dylan Wilford of York, Maine; his step children Liam and Liliana Farias of Wells, his mother Mary Jean Wagner of York, Maine; three brothers, Donald McKay Wilford Jr. and wife Denise of York, Maine; Perry Wilford of Portsmouth, N.H.; Jeffrey Wilford and wife Nicolette of Eliot, Maine; sister Kristen Gustavsen of Kittery, Maine; several adoring nieces and nephews and countless friends. He is preceded in death by his father CDR. Donald McKay Wilford (USN), and brother in law Ralph Gustavsen.  

Dave was a big and faithful supporter of White Pine nature connection programs. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in David’s memory to White Pine Programs, PO Box 802, York, Maine 03909 or online at whitepineprograms.org/donate.

Calling hours will be held from 12:30 to 3:00pm on Sunday, September, 23 in the Lucas & Eaton Funeral Home, 91 Long Sands Rd.,  York, Maine. A Memorial Service with military honors will be held at 4:00pm in Fellowship Hall at the First Parish Church, 180 York Street in York with a  reception to follow after. Visit www.lucaseatonfuneralhome.com

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