David Michael Gaide's Obituary
David Michael Gaide, 62, of Fort Myers, passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023. He was born on January 28, 1961 in Flint Michigan to Evelyn and George Gaide.
Dave graduated from Davison High School 1980. He worked at Rooker Veterinary while a teenager: summer was hot as he bailed hay. He met Kim while she waitressed at the Golden Nugget Restaurant in Davison. She wooed him with a slice of banana cream pie. They married in 1981 and moved to Houston, Texas, where he worked in security for the Westin Oaks Hotel and Shell Oil Company.
They moved to Fort Myers in 1986 where he owned his own lawn care and lot mowing business. Dave also worked for Lee Memorial Hospital several times but the last on 5 North from 2009 until he was taken ill in 2014.
He took pride in everything he did, especially his yard and vehicles. He would help others if he knew they needed an extra hand. He loved to work on cars and trucks, loved his movies whether it be Westerns or WWII, MASH and Andy Griffith TV shows. He loved hamburger gravy and home cooked meals Kim made. Peanut butter cups, red hots and cracker jacks were his go to snack.
Dave loved baseball and trained to be an umpire for all ages. He especially loved when the college boys came down, they definitely knew when they struck out! He volunteered many years with son, Davy, as a Parade Marshall for the Edison Festival of Light Parade held in February of every year. Since he was home fulltime on disability, Kim volunteered Dave with the Florida Gulf Coast to Heartland Chapter American Red Cross. Dave also puppy raised six puppies with Southeastern Guide Dogs: Ranger, Patton, Alix, Roxie, ZuZu, and Chewie. He worked closely with Michelle the parade float coordinator and had each of the puppies in the cab with him each year during the parade. Ranger was matched to an Army Ranger who needed her. They have stayed in contact with Dave over the years. Roxie came home, as she and Dave needed each other.
Dave is survived by his wife of 41 years, Kim Gaide; his children: David (Davy) Jr. Gaide (Lindsay) and Zachary Gaide; his siblings: Kathy Rickertsen (Denny), Dale Gaide (Ulli), Jim Gaide (Beth), Kleber (Sharon) Dusenbury and Karen Sak; his granddaughters: Emelia and Ellie. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews and great nieces and great nephews and his beloved pups, Roxie (love of his life), Cocoa and his granddog, Titan. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Gaide.
A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at 10:00 AM at First Christian Church located at 2061 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33901, with a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Dave’s memory may be made to: Southeastern Guide Dogs, in Memory of David Gaide, Sr., Puppy Raiser, 4210 77th. Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221 or to Florida Gulf Coast Heartland Chapter of the American Red Cross, in Memory of David Gaide, Sr., 7051 Cypress Terrace, Suite 110, Fort Myers, FL 33907.
The family would like a special thank you to go out to Dan Dziuba of Mobile Vintage Motors in finishing the 1981 Dodge Ram.
Also, a special Thanks to Dr. Sebastian Draulans with Family and Internal Medicine with LPG College Point; Dr. Zafar with Florida Cancer Specialists; Dr. Mary Mouracade with Associates in Nephrology; Dr. Robert Cross with LPG Cardiology; and Dr. Melissa Alsina with Moffitt Cancer Center for their outstanding care of David. 9 years instead of 2!
Heartfelt thanks to our son, Zachary. Dad was so proud of you graduating with your nursing degree and even better bouncing questions off of you regarding his care. Zachary was over every day and helped Kim with dialysis and taking care of the pups while we were at Moffitt. Great Nursing Friends: Sharon Beck along with Shelley McNew helped Zach the last few days of Dave’s life. We will forever be thankful for them as well as Ann Boehm who has been a great friend coming to the house at all hours when needed.
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