Born in Hyannis, son of the late William and Gertrude (Sears) Hodsdon, Dave grew up in East Dennis, and was a graduate of the Dennis-Yarmouth school system. He served honorably in the United States Navy during World War II, earning the rank of Seaman First Class as well as the World War II Victory Medal and the America Area Ribbon. Dave had a very close relationship with his grandfather, David Henry Sears, who started the family business, Sears Ice Cream, eventually running it alongside his mother and brother. He went on to follow his heart and became a general contractor operating D.H. Builders. Dave was an incredibly proud veteran and an active member of the Hyannis VFW. He was a talented and avid athlete his entire life, playing ice hockey and coaching for many years in the Dennis-Yarmouth hockey league. He also enthusiastically enjoyed golfing, playing softball, and bowling. Dave loved nothing more than spending time with his family, with particularly fond memories at Crowes Pasture. He was a true Cape Codder, with no desire to ever leave, finding happiness around family and friends while enjoying the simple pleasures and rare beauty of old Cape Cod, and will be most remembered for his generosity and kindness and great sense of humor.
Dave was pre-deceased by his son David Henry Sears his brother William Hodsdon, and his sister Elizabeth Sheehy and her husband Al.
He was the beloved husband of Dorothy (Norris) Hodsdon for over sixty-five years; devoted father of Bruce Norris Hodsdon of Dennis, Deanne Hodsdon Tolley and her husband Erik of Yarmouthport, and Lisa Norris Hodsdon Peirce of South Yarmouth; cherished grandfather of David Sears Hodsdon, III and his fiancée Kate, Sarah Cooper and her husband Nate, Dylan Hodsdon and his fiancée Rachel, Halle Stringfield and her husband Conor, Caleb Tolley and his fiancée Jordyn, Declan Tolley, and Taylor Peirce, and great-grandfather of Logan, Sawyer, and Leon. He was the brother of Richard Hodsdon and his late wife Brenda, and the brother-in-law of Ruth Hodsdon, as well as uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 from 3-6 PM at Doane Beal & Ames Funeral Home, 729 MA-134, South Dennis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10 AM at Our Lady of the Cape Catholic Church, 468 Stony Brook Rd, Brewster. Burial will follow at Quivet Neck Cemetery, South Street, in East Dennis.
The Hodsdon family requests that you consider a donation in Dave’s memory to Cape Cod Veteran’s, Inc., P.O. Box 81, Dennisport, MA 02639 or the Cape Cod Alzheimer’s Family Support Center, 2095 Main St., Brewster, MA 02631.
