David P. Gaw was a lifelong resident of Wakefield, local business owner, and graduate of Wakefield High School Class of 1961. Born in Stoneham on April 3, 1943, he was the son of the late Stanley and Jennie (Haladay) Gaw. Dave passed away suddenly on December 25, 2019.
Dave was retired from the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles. Prior to working for the Registry he was the owner of Dave’s Getty on Water Street and later Donut Maker at the same location. For several years, Dave also worked as the Master Mechanic for the Wakefield Police and Fire Departments. Dave loved riding his Harley across the country with his riding buddies. Dave’s greatest passion was helping friends and neighbors. Dave “loved to be loved”. To earn that love, Dave strived every day to help out other people with his simple acts of service. Everyone has at least one story of how Dave went out of his way to lend a hand or deliver an unexpected coffee or scone. During snowstorms, Dave would be gone for hours driving his Bobcat around the neighborhood and off the hill clearing driveways for nothing more than a thank you. For him, a snowstorm and Bobcat was a grown man’s version of a Tonka truck in the sandbox. Dave, as the longest living resident of his neighborhood, wore the title of neighborhood patriarch proudly and he strived to take care of his neighbors.
Dave was the beloved husband of Linda Cook. He was the loving father of Matthew Cook of Wakefield, David P. “Butch” Gaw Jr. and wife Kelly of Wakefield and Louellyn Bailey of NC. Brother of the late Phyllis Gaw. Grandfather of Cory Bailey and his wife Liz. He is also survived by his 3 nephews, Chuck, Michael and Kevin Wing and many dear friends, in-laws and neighbors.
To honor Dave’s legacy and his love for his town, his family and friends decided to establish a scholarship fund in his memory to help students with educational expenses.