David Bird

David H Bird, 82, of Crystal Lake, IL, passed away October 12, 2015 at Valley Hi Nursing Home after battling a long illness as the result of a stroke. He is survived by his wife Sally; his two daughters, Jennifer Bird of Los Angeles and Stephanie (Alan) Williams of Arlington Heights, IL; as well as three grandchildren, Quinn, Owen and Greer Williams, also of Arlington Heights. He is additionally survived by his brother John (Mary-Alice) Bird of Rockland, ME and sister Carolyn Murray of Portland, ME. And let's not forget his dog Murphy, who slept faithfully by his side for several years.

David is preceded in death by his parents Frederic and Dorothy Bird and his brother-in-law Stephen Murray.

David was born in Winchester, MA and grew up in Rockland, ME, and retained the accent to prove it. He attended Bowdoin College in Maine before moving to Chicago, where he met Sally and became an art needlework salesman for Coats & Clark, Leisure Arts and others. In 1984, he started GNT Limousine Service in Crystal Lake, which he and Sally ran for several years before selling it to enjoy retirement.

David was an avid skier and served as President of the Chicago Ski Council and Ski Patrol at Wilmont where he taught his daughters to ski. He volunteered with the Lions Club, where you could often find him shilling candy, and for the Salvation Army, ringing the bells for donations every Christmas. He loved sports and cheered on Chicago teams though his first love was always the Red Sox. But David’s true passion was golf and most weekends you would find him on the links or serving as a ranger at local courses and PGA tournaments. On his 60th birthday, he played 60 holes and proudly walked 51 of them.

David felt now was a good time to go as he couldn't bear to see another Clinton in office!

Visitation will be held Sunday, October 18, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake. The funeral service will be held the following day, Monday, October 19 at First Congregational Church of Crystal Lake, 461 Pierson St., beginning at 11 a.m., with lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Congregational Church, the Lions Club of Crystal Lake, P.O. Box 48, Crystal Lake, Illinois 60039, or Family Alliance Inc., 2028 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, Illinois 60098, an organization that was a great help after his stroke.

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