David Gibbs Worthington, age 92, found a way to continue his quest for the perfect golf swing when he passed from natural causes June 11th 2024 in Marshfield MA.

"Dave" was born in New Bedford, MA on November13, 1931 and was the second of four brothers. His father Howard, from North Adams, MA, was a Merchant Marine Captain and navigated ships down to Galveston TX. His Mother Hazel, from Taunton, MA, had a brief career in one of the mills in New Bedford and was a devoted homemaker raising the active boys, often by herself.

He is preceded in death by his parents and three siblings: Howard, Curtiss, and Robert, as well as a beloved son, Bruce who suffered from several medical conditions and passed at three years of age.

He is dearly missed by his devoted wife of sixty-five years, Mary Ann (Cooper) Worthington, who was born in Springfield, MA.  Together they raised three children: Brad Worthington of Stamford, CT; Judi Marchand (and husband Paul) of La Quinta, CA; Jan Martin (and husband Terry) of Marshfield, MA.  He was a proud "Pappa" of seven grandchildren, Morgan, MacKenzie, Mason, Sydney, Grant, Jarred and  Mitchell.

Dave left high school early to enlist in the Navy at age 17 during the Korean war and served on the "Destroyer USS Vesole" as a Naval Corman. Upon his return, he completed high school at the Emerson Institute in Washington, DC and enrolled at UMass Amherst in 1954. One of his favorite stories was how he and Mary Ann met at UMass his first day on campus. Mary Ann was a year ahead of him and chaperoning a freshman dance. She approached a quiet group of men and suggested they ask some of the young woman to dance. Daves reply was "Can I have this dance with you?"  They were married in 1958.

During college, Dave served as the President of the Senior Men's Society; Chief Justice of the General Court and provided the Senior oration quoting Albert Schwitzer "The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others."  He put that advice to use during his lengthy career as a District Manager at the Southern New England Telephone Company where he mentored many employees and gently diffused the occasional irate customer.  He had high expectations for himself and those around him, which is why golf proved a worthy venture.

Dave was the epitome of an avid golfer.  In his elegant handwriting, he filled countless binders with his daily lists of swing thoughts.  He could be found in the winter, under flood lights in his back yard, hitting chip shots. In the spring, several dozens of golf balls could be found under his target tree!  He introduced his son Brad to the game and Brad has several photos with top PGA players of the '60's & '70's for his memories. Dave enjoyed attending the Masters Golf Tournament for many years following Freddy Couples with Judi's father-in-law, reverend Walter Marchand. Treasured memories include rounds of golf played with his children and then grandchildren. He loved his rounds at Tashua Knolls in Trumbull, CT with the great friends he's now sharing hugs and dollar wagers with in Heaven!

Dave was active in his community as president of the Monroe Jr. Chamber of Commerce and the Stepney Methodist church Urgent Needs crusades Committee. He was co- chair for donations for the Monroe YMCA and volunteered for the Shriners.

A devoted father, Dave gave up weekends to coach his daughters' flag football and basketball teams, holding practices at 6 am because the ideal times were reserved for the boys. He proudly cheered Brad's little league teams and was active with the Boy Scouts and Indian Princesses. He willingly lost 'Chicken of the sea' contests racing Brad into many a cold ocean.  After losing Bruce, he was drawn to the profound nature of the words in the Ed Ames song "Who will Answer" and would reinforce certain lyrics by blasting them from his HiFi console for the whole neighborhood to hear.

Pappa Worthington loved riding the carousel, theme parks and parades. He loved spilling coins from his pockets and watching his grandchildren's faces when they found the coins on the ground! He had a limited portfolio of jokes but made sure everyone knew them and loved funny little ditty's and songs. He also loved big bands and dancing the Jitterbug to Tex Beneke and Glenn Miller orchestra when they played 'In the Mood'.

His family sends special thanks to the staff at the Courtyards in Sun City Center, FL where Dave and Mary Ann lived from 2018 to 2022 and a huge shout out to the amazing team at Proprietors Green in Marshfield, MA where they have been since.   Many thanks also to his caring team from Autum Hospice.

Visiting hours will be Friday, June 28th from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the MacDonald Funeral home, 1755 Ocean Street, Marshfield, MA 02050 with reception to follow at Marshfield Country Club. Burial is scheduled the following day, Saturday, June 29th at 3:00 p.m. at the Ridge Church, 14 Church Street, St. George Maine 04860 with reception to follow from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the East Wind Inn, 21 Mechanic St. in Tenants Harbor. Please reach out to Judi Marchand with questions. 832-231-1428

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dave's name to support First Tee—Connecticut (www.firstteeconnecticut.org) and their work in Fairfield County to positively impact the lives of young people through the game of golf – by mail to 55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell, CT 06416 or online at https://firstteeconnecticut.org/

In honor of Dave's penchant for short phrases that teach life lessons, we leave you with his favorite poem, "Outwitted" by Edwin Markham

He drew a circle and shut me out

heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.

But LOVE and I had the wit to win.

We drew a circle that took him in