David Gilbert West, 86 years old, of Sebastian, Florida, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by loved ones on Friday, October 27, 2023, after a short bout of cancer.
David was born on May 12, 1937, to Charles Gilbert and Lois Penniman (née Vinton) West in Weymouth, Massachusetts. David graduated from Braintree High School in 1955. He studied at UMass Amherst and Northeastern University, graduating in 1972 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked at Honeywell in the Computer Division for over 30 years before retiring in 1992.
In 1955, Dave met his wife Karen at a High School Dance. They were married on February 14, 1959, and built a home in Harvard, MA, where they raised their three children. After retiring, David and Karen spent their time in Sebastian, Florida.
Poz had an award-winning smile with an ability to entertain a crowd with his risqué humor. He never failed to have an impromptu nap during family get-togethers, which made for a great photograph and many laughs! He was known by all his grand and great-grandchildren for doling out alligator bites and having a handshake that could bring a grown man to his knees. He enjoyed kayaking and helping clean up the local islands, but that did not go without becoming a lifetime member of the Soggy Bottom Club.
He had many rules when it came to things but quickly realized some of those great-grandkids were a great match to his wittiness. All the grand and great-grandchildren enjoyed game time at night with Poz. If there was one thing that Poz could eliminate from the world, it would be squirrels, as he often talked about ways of doing so! Unfortunately for him, Sebastian, Florida, Harvard, and Plymouth, Massachusetts, had no shortage of squirrels. He enjoyed sailing; they made several trips to the British Virgin Islands over the years. Even though Poz had two left feet (lol) he enjoyed years of square dancing.
David was predeceased by his parents Charles and Lois West, his sister, Shirley, and her husband, Jack Moriarty, and his brother, Peter Vinton West. He is survived by his loving soulmate and wife Karen Alice (née Stevenson) of Sebastian, FL, his sons Daniel Gilbert West and his wife Donna of Sebastian, FL and Craig Steven West of Charleton, Massachusetts. A Daughter, Kristin West (née West) and her husband Kevin Devaney of Summerfield, NC. They have 11 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. All the grandchildren and great-grandchildren loved to go visit Moz and Poz in Sebastian and at the cottage on Big Sandy Pond in Plymouth.
Karen (A.K.A. Moz) was the love of his life and will be missed by all who were blessed to know him.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Sebastian Elks 2714 731 S. Fleming St Sebastian on Saturday, November 18, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the VNA & Hospice Foundation 920 37th Place #101 Vero Beach, FL 32960, which gave the family great comfort in his final days.
