AUGUSTA — “David … a man after (God’s) own heart.” Acts 13:22.

David Matthew Daniel Garippa went to be with the Lord in his home with his family by his side on Sunday, July 1, in Augusta.

Dave was born in Garfield, N.J., the second of 13 children to Josephine and Frank Garippa. His life is characterized by his devotion to God, a love for his family and people, especially children, courage, kindness, integrity, generosity, creativity, excellence of work, a zest for life and love of country.

As a boy, he attended Garfield schools, was a Boy Scout, played the trumpet in the Garfield High School band and worked hard helping his father on electrical jobs and assisting with the daily needs of the large Italian family by walking to pick up milk, bread and ice.

He joined the Navy in January 1941, and served as chief petty officer and a diver aboard the USS Omaha, a light cruiser. A month before the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Omaha captured a German vessel, the Odenwald, and Eleanor Roosevelt came on board the Omaha in 1944 to commend them for this victory at sea.

His work on the ship in construction and repair and as a diver included repairing the ship underwater. After the war, he was stationed on Great Diamond Island, off the coast of Portland, where he served as a fire and damage control instructor until he left the Navy in 1947.

Dave returned to Portland to work and met Margie Ellen Keef, a cashier at Longfellow’s Restaurant, which Dave frequented. Dave married Margie on Dec. 23, 1948, and they moved to New Jersey, where Dave started his own plumbing business with Margie as his bookkeeper.

Dave attended Fairleigh Dickinson College and graduated from Hawthorne Bible School. Dave and Margie moved back to Maine in 1955, and Dave worked for several plumbing companies: Mahaney in Biddeford; E.F. Cunningham in Portland and Pullen Brothers in Augusta, where Dave was an estimator.

He was a Boy Scout leader in New Jersey and also Portland and served as president of the PTA at Baxter Elementary School in Portland.

Dave feared God. He made prayer and serving God priorities in his life. He was an active member of churches he attended in New Jersey, Lewiston, Portland and Augusta and served in various capacities of leadership and teaching with a special passion for and effectiveness in working with youth. He designed and installed the plumbing and heating for several Maine churches. He spoke in many churches and was known for his object lessons for children.

He had a great sense of humor and was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed gardening and preparing delicious meals for his family. He was courageous and willing to stand up for what he believed in. He enjoyed hymns and patriotic music. He was ingenious, could fix anything and gave his best to whatever he endeavored. Excellence was his trademark.

Dave will be dearly missed by his children, David Jr. and his wife, Penne, of Washington Court House, Ohio, and Dona and Rachel Garippa, of Winthrop; as well as his siblings and their spouses; and his more than 100 nieces and nephews.

Dave was predeceased on Jan. 29, by his wife of 63 years, Margie.

Condolences, pictures and stories may be shared through the funeral home website at: www.plummerfh.com.