David Theodore Michaelson

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of David Theodore Michaelson, who departed from this world at the age of 88 on Saturday, February 10, 2024. David leaves behind a legacy of love, wisdom, and cherished memories.

Born on August 17th, 1935, to father Moses and mother Pauline, Dave grew up an only child, residing with his parents in a small apartment on Kings Highway in Brooklyn, NY. He was an excellent student, graduating from James Madison High School in 1953. Dave became the first in his family to attend college, receiving his BBA from the City College of New York in 1957 and, subsequently, his MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1959. In addition, he faithfully served as a reservist in the United States Army from 1957 until he was honorable discharged in 1963.

Upon completing his MBA, Dave embarked on a distinguished career in the advertising industry which spanned more than four decades. He also lucked out personally, meeting his wife of 53 years, Mary, at the agency Benton & Bowles in 1962. They were married on October 30, 1970, and went on to have two boys, Jamie and Jed.

Dave was simply a great dad to the boys. He and his wife Mary instilled the values of compassion, hard work, and perseverance in their children which are still evident today. During their childhood, Dave did whatever he could to be present at every sporting event the boys played in. He was a swim dad. He was a wrestling dad. He was a football dad. He was a baseball dad – you name it, Dave was there for Jamie and Jed. Dave selflessly spent whatever free time he had on a pool deck as a swim official or in a dugout as a youth baseball coach. He was not only a great father and a husband but also a mentor, a confidant, and friend to all who met him.

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Dave is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary (nee Hartshorn), his son Jamie and grandchildren Mia (16) and Andrew (13), his son Jed and his wife Kerry, and granddaughters Abigail (18) and Morgan (15).

A private family celebration of Dave’s life has been planned. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) in Dave’s name to help fight the disease he battled valiantly during the final years of his life.