NAPLES — David Willis Eldridge Sr. of Naples passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 6, 2022, with his family by his side.

David was born July 2, 1938, to Willis David and Marian I. Burnham Eldridge in Casco, Maine. He lived all over the Lake Region and wintered for several years in Bradenton Florida.

David graduated from Casco High School in 1957 where he was on the Casco Loggers basketball team and a track star. David also attended Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute and earned his machinist certificate in 1966. He was employed by Southworth Machine where he was a shop steward and later became president of the International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers – Local 895 in Portland and vice president of AFL-CIO New England. David met with and worked with numerous politicians including President Gerald R. Ford, former Governor Longley, former Maine Senator Ed Muskie and former Maine Secretary of State Mark Gartley, to better the lives of Maine and New England residents and workers. Outside of employment, David served his community as selectman of the town of Naples.

After his retirement, he enjoyed working at Marden’s and Sebago Lake Chevrolet as his keen interest in bargains and cars is legendary. He loved garage sales and thrift shops remaking his finds into very desirable pieces.

Throughout his life David enjoyed woodworking and remodeling homes. He was very creative and had great vision finding distressed properties and turning them into showplaces. He easily sold homes he had built or remodeled; attesting to his expertise and attention to detail.

His family reunions at the beach are long remembered as is his generosity entertaining his friends for many beach events. Once retired you were sure to find David out having breakfast daily with friends either in Bradenton or at the Top of the Hill Grille.

David was first and foremost a family man enjoying a regular schedule of family visits. You could depend on him being at his aunt’s on Saturday morning, with his son every evening or at a card game with siblings and friends.

David spent almost sixty years with his wife Diana. David was very proud of his children, speaking highly of their accomplishments.

David was predeceased by his son Alan D. Eldridge and grandson Keegan C. Eldridge.

He is survived by his loving wife Diana, who cared for him tirelessly through his long illness; his children Bonnie Jean Eldridge Oliver, Kevin Eldridge, David Eldridge Jr., Melody Eldridge Jones, Felicia Cummings and Craig Hamlin; grandchildren, Hillary, Nicholas, Kiersten, Kari, Sam, Austin, Ricky, Orry, Kelsey, Ryan and Makayla as well as six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service at the Lakeside Cemetery in Casco for family and friends will be announced for late spring. Arrangements are in the care of the Hall Funeral Home in Casco where condolences and tributes may be shared on David’s Tribute Wall at www.hallfuneralhome.net.