David Donald Gill Sr.

David Donald Gill, Sr., 77, of St. Clair Shores, MI, passed away suddenly at home on the afternoon of Monday, August 17, 2026. Dave was born on February 16, 1949 at Cottage Hospital in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI, to Donald Henry and Eileen Erna Helen (Kruse) Gill. He grew up in St. Clair Shores graduating from Lakeview High School in 1967. Dave served proudly in the US Army with a tour in Vietnam. After his military service he had careers in Data Processing, Vocational Rehabilitation and, most recently, driving a school bus for Lake Shore Public Schools which became his post-retirement dream job. He met his wife, Robin, on November 19, 1980 and they married on September 19, 1981 in Royalton, PA, after a long-distance courtship.

Dave was predeceased by his parents, Donald & Eileen; stepmother, Anna Rose Garber Gill; in-laws, David and Evelyn Hoffman. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Robin (nee Hoffman); four sons and their wives, David (Allison Nichol), Adam (Katie), Noah (Kayla) and Jacob (Josie); five grandchildren, Keiran, Alexandra, Nicklas, Ivan & Damien; grandpets, Freddie (turtle), Truffles (Black Lab) and 5 orange cats whose names begin with “S” but that he couldn’t remember their names despite his love of spicy food (hot pepper names). Also surviving are siblings Diane (Dale) Goodwin, Karen (Gary) Justin and Linda (Taher) Alashmaly; sisters-in-law, Gwenn Underwood, Paulette Hoffman, Rebecca Colvin and brother-in-law, David Hoffman and his wife Dianne Tiboni. Finally, a host of nieces and nephews along with their children.

A self-proclaimed “Grumpy Old Vet”, Dave was super proud of his service to his country. Dave’s Christian faith was strong. He was a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in St. Clair Shores, serving many, many roles during his 60-odd years with that church. He and Robin then became members of St. Mark Lutheran Church in Roseville where he served on church council and as a lay reader until his death. We are assured that Dave is in the arms of God, watching down from heaven and waiting to play one of his several trumpets accompanying the angel choir. He had no time for sports unless a NASCAR race or Detroit Tigers baseball game was on. He was a scout leader out of Masonic Heights Elementary School and the Walter Bruce VFW Post spending many a camping trip with his 4 sons and making many friendships along the way. He also volunteered as a St. Clair Shores Little League baseball coach with his boys. Dave loved driving that big yellow bus for Lake Shore after retiring, detested the singing of “The Wheels on the Bus” but, oh, he loved those kids. He collected pressed pennies, Tagabrew tags, hats and t-shirts from vacations. He had so many t-shirts that, during COVID shutdown, it became a game to not wear the same shirt more than once and he was proud to accomplish this goal. In recent years, he liked planning a big, once-a-year vacation with his love cruising to Alaska and traveling to Michigan’s UP then Tennessee & Kentucky. He loved beer, bourbon and cigars and sometimes planned trips around one or more of those pleasures. He loved cars and driving but hated bridges like the Zilwaukee, Mackinac and Delaware Memorial often choosing to let someone else do the driving over the span. Determined to have a Cadillac by age 50, he missed that mark by a few years but eventually was able to purchase that make, then, a few months before his passing, found his dream, Camaro Convertible, and how he loved to put that top down and tool around town. He was so looking forward to getting that car on the road for the 2026 Harper Cruise. Dave loved woodworking and made kitchen cabinets, shelving units, family tradition Easter Bunny baskets, cutting boards and even sacrificed a fingertip making a curio cabinet for his beloved Robin’s Precious Moments collection. He was a master in the kitchen and loved to take a recipe and zhuzh it up to make it his own. And, that man could fix anything that broke and get anywhere without a map. He loved that all of his boys found their special partners and appreciated how much love flows when all 8 or any combination of them get together. But, most of all, he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He liked to share fireworks and sparklers and have weekly Facetime reading time with Keiran and Alex, play ping-pong with Keiran and let Alex give him a mani/pedi. He enjoyed bubbles and playscape time with twins, Nick & Ivan, and got giggles out of them playing catch and making fart noises. With young Damien, snuggles, smiles & clapping with Grandpa were the best and Grandpa was only too happy to oblige.

In death, Dave did not want any fuss made. Cremation and no service were his wishes. A military send-off will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, when available and a celebration of life will be planned at a later date for sharing memories.

In lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to St. Mark Lutheran Church in Roseville, Michigan, or your favorite veteran organization.