David Allan Zupnik, 80, of Salem, passed peacefully away on June 1, 2021 at Backus Hospital in Norwich.
Born on June 11, 1940 in Wichita Kansas; he was a son of the late George and Ruth (Gersten) Zupnik. David grew up in Colchester and was a 1958 graduate of Bacon Academy. From 1958- 1960 he attended UConn for two years but then felt a strong sense of loyalty & duty and decided to put his academics at UConn on hold so he could serve our nation by enlisting in the United States Air Force. In 1966 he returned to UConn where he completed his studies, ultimately receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Zoology in 1968. He enjoyed his time at UCONN so much, he accepted a roll in the office in the “Dean of Men”.
After his tenure at UCONN, David worked for the State of Connecticut as a State Trooper at Troop K in Colchester from 1970-1980. During his time as a Trooper, he met the love of his life, Gaila Gagnon, at the state toxicology lab and the happy couple married in a garden ceremony on July 1st, 1979.
Entering a new chapter in his career, David become the manager at the New London News Company where he worked until his “first” retirement in 2003.
But the word retirement was not in David’s vocabulary. So, he sought out to work with what he loved, cars. As a result, David found enjoyment in working with the Antonino Auto Group as a car swapper & eventually taking on the role as the OSHA Coordinator until his second, and final, retirement in 2017.
Traveling was a passion of David & Gaila, visiting France, Belgium, Holland, Scotland, Canada, San Francisco & their favorite spot Ogunquit, Maine annually.
David’s other many loves were to spend time at his home in Salem on the porch with endless hours of bird watching. His love for animals was evident all around the house especially caring for the deer, birds & hummingbirds. David a voracious reader and enjoyed solving crossword puzzles (the NY Times of course!)
He is survived by his wife of 41 years Gaila Zupnik; Daughters Alissa (Jonathan) Kubik and Jolene (Steve) Genett; his brother James (Karen) Zupnik: grandchildren Quinn Kubik and Charlotte Genett; mother-in-law Nancy Aho, and numerous other extended family and friends. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his sister Judith Glassenberg.
Care of private arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association www.heart.org
The family would personally like to thank Dr. Kevin Tally of Hartford Health Care group for his unwavering support of David over the years.
Rest In Peace My Love, My Love