David Gembala

Dave was born in Buffalo, NY in 1940 to Bronislaus and Victoria (Sondel) Gembala He was raised with his three sisters and multiple cousins in the Black Rock area of Buffalo, where he was a high school football star. After high school, he joined the Marine Corps where he honorably served for 4 years.

Dave went on to graduate from the University of Buffalo, where he met his wife Ann Kohler. After attending Cornell University for graduate work, he began a long career as a Geotechnical Engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers. Dave was proud to stand atop Niagara Falls during the dewatering of the falls in 1969, and to work on King Khalid Military City in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s.

Dave and Ann had three children, David, Bill, and Amy. He and his young family enjoyed traveling the world and seeing many different cultures. Dave developed a passion for running and volunteering for the Seattle Marathon in his early 50s.

After 35 years in the Corps, he and Ann retired to Westfield in 1998. Dave loved playing the slots in Las Vegas, watching mystery and law shows on TV, and playing Sudoku and other logic games. He loved a dry martini and would never turn down a potato chip. In later years, he volunteered as one of the “Hands” for the Patterson Library. Dave was known for his sense of humor, kindness, generosity with his time, and frugality.

Dave donated his body to the University of Buffalo, both to give back to the medical community that helped him multiple times, as well as to save a few bucks on cremation. He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Mary Ann. He is survived by his wife, Ann, his children and their spouses, sisters Nancy and Linda, six grandchildren, cousins, nephews, nieces, and countless friends.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Patterson Library or Westfield Memorial Hospital. A celebration of his life is planned for the summer. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mason Funeral Home, 37 Clinton St. Westfield, Ny14787.