Obituary of David Richard Elwell

David Richard Elwell, age 84, of Fort Pierce, Florida, born in Somers Point, New Jersey, passed on Wednesday, March 21, 2018. David is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Lorraine Elwell; 4 devoted daughters, Patricia Robinson, Susan Shaw, Cynthia Toscano and her husband, Dominic, and Judith Harriman; 12 beloved grandchildren, Kenneth Smith Robinson Jr. and his wife, Valerie, the late Brian Smith Robinson, Sean Smith Robinson and his wife, Christina Cilione, Marissa Robinson, Matthew Robinson, Jeremy Canizares, Kristopher Canizares, Cassandra Shaw and her husband, Othoniel Cruz-Rondon, Gabrielle Alberto, Tony Alberto and his wife, Valerie, Brianna Bennington, David R. Boden and his wife, Alyssa; 12 beloved great-grandchildren, Jacob Robinson, Lucas Robinson, Raylen Robinson, Brian David Robinson Jr., Jeanivieve Robinson, Desmond Cilione, Columba Cilione, Salvatore Cilione, Rocco Cilione, Aaliyah Shaw, Khaleesi Cruz and Kellan Alberto. David was a faithful Christian minister of Jehovah’s Witnesses for 56 years. He enjoyed sharing Bible knowledge with others with compassion and respect. He was an avid reader and had great knowledge of the Bible, along with history, geography and archeology, which aided him in making the Bible “come alive”. Dave and his wife, Lorrie, enjoyed trips to unassigned territories in Texas and Wisconsin, where they spread the good news contained in the Bible. Dave also was very involved in building and renovating many Kingdom Halls and Assembly Halls for Jehovah’s Witnesses. David was in the Navy in 1951, when he met his wife, Lorrie, at a USO in Chicago. They celebrated their 65th Anniversary last May, and they are the finest example to this family of true partnership and love. Dave raised his family in Philadelphia, PA. He supported his family as a Master Plumber with Local 690 Plumbers’ Union and retired as a mechanical contractor. He was a man before his time, believing in harnessing the power of wind and solar energy, and formed a company called Solar Free. He loved family gatherings and reminiscing with his late, beloved brother, Harry, about their idyllic childhood being raised on the beaches of Margate, New Jersey. He enjoyed singing, dancing to Doo Wop, traveling, reading, and swimming. David was a member of the Olney High School Graduate Choir in Philadelphia for a few years. He was quick witted with a wonderful sense of humor. He was an unpublished writer of children’s books, science fiction stories and the story of his life. David had a great sense of adventure from his time serving in the Navy until his passing. He obtained his private pilot’s license and joined the Fairfield Aero Club. His daughters’ have a fond memory of taking a plane ride with Dad to Delaware to get a “glazed donut”. He took several international vacations with his wife, Lorrie, to England, Scotland, Norway, Hawaii and Canada. He and Lorrie loved traveling in their Alfa See Ya motorhome and Winnebago cross country. David, along with his wife, Lorrie, renovated many homes and buildings, breathing life in to stagnant communities, culminating with building his dream, circular home in the mountains of Bradford County, Pennsylvania, fondly called “The Eagles’ Nest”. More recently, he spent many peaceful hours in his cabin in the Blue Ridge Mountains in Blairsville, Georgia. He enjoyed spending time with Lorrie and other family members, sitting on their picturesque porch with a cup of tea and a good cinnamon bun, penning his novels, enjoying nature, and the many charming animals, especially “Higgins”, the neighbor’s lovable dog. He volunteered his time and energy in service to others through various chapters of the International Rotary Club for more than 12 years. He was the President of the Towanda Chapter of Rotary International and received the Paul Harris Fellow Award. David and his beloved Lorrie lived a full and wonderful life of love and happiness and has left his family with many blessings and cherished memories. Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 1:00pm at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 6050 Turnpike Feeder Road, Fort Pierce, Florida 34951.