J. David Goss
Wilmington - John David Goss, a kind and gentle soul who loved his family beyond measure, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the ripe old age of 102.
Dave, as he preferred to be called, was the son of Lewis and Carrie Goss, the husband of Dorothy Goss, the father of Pennie and David W. Goss, the grandfather of four, the great-grandfather of five, and a friend to everyone who knew him.
He left explicit instructions that no crying should occur at his funeral because, “My life has been too good to waste tears on.”
Dave grew up in Kennett Square, PA, as the middle child sandwiched between three older siblings and three younger siblings. As a child, he earned the nickname “Tubby” from spending too much time in his father’s bakery.
At 17, he fell head over heels in love with Wilmington High School senior Dorothy Weitzel, and the two remained together until her passing, one day after their 77th wedding anniversary.
Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He joined the V-5 Naval Aviation Cadet program and earned his gold Naval Aviator wings a year later. He and Dorothy married soon after during a brief leave in his pilot training. After the war, they eventually bought a home on Middleboro Road near Newport, where they raised Pennie and David, and lived happily for more than 60 years. In 2018, the couple relocated to The Lorelton, where they safely waited out the pandemic and made many new friends.
Dave worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass for 10 years and Hires Turner Glass Co. for another 37 before retiring from the glass business in 1992. He also worked part-time for many years for Edward F. Lewis and Sons, often delivering flowers in advance of major holidays.
During his rich life, he was a member of Richardson Park United Methodist Church, the Wilmington Optimist Club, and Armstrong Lodge No. 26 A.F. & A.M., where he served as the longtime Dad Advisor for Newport DeMolay, and became a beloved father figure to generations of young men.
Dave’s greatest love was his family. He talked to his children at least once a week throughout their adult lives, and was absolutely adored by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all knew him as Grampy.
Sadly, his son David passed away in 2009 and Dorothy followed in 2021. He also was predeceased by his brothers and sisters Samuel, Joseph, Gladys, Louise, Walter and Gene.
He is survived by his daughter Pennie Smith (Jon), his daughter-in-law Mollie Goss, his grandchildren Scott Goss (Maddy), Samantha Goss, Amanda Smith, and Kerrie Allen (Nate), and his great-grandchildren Dylan Butler, Madison Butler, Charles Allen, Elinor Allen and Lily Goss.
His funeral service will be held on Friday, August 30 at NICHOLS-GILMORE FUNERAL HOME, 212 E. Justis St., Wilmington, DE 19804, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a Masonic Service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park.
The family would like to say a special thank you to The Lorelton and Compassionate Care Hospice staff for the wonderful care they gave to Dave.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
To send online condolences, visit nicholsgilmore.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of J. David Goss, please visit our flower store.
Wilmington - John David Goss, a kind and gentle soul who loved his family beyond measure, passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 13 at the ripe old age of 102.
Dave, as he preferred to be called, was the son of Lewis and Carrie Goss, the husband of Dorothy Goss, the father of Pennie and David W. Goss, the grandfather of four, the great-grandfather of five, and a friend to everyone who knew him.
He left explicit instructions that no crying should occur at his funeral because, “My life has been too good to waste tears on.”
Dave grew up in Kennett Square, PA, as the middle child sandwiched between three older siblings and three younger siblings. As a child, he earned the nickname “Tubby” from spending too much time in his father’s bakery.
At 17, he fell head over heels in love with Wilmington High School senior Dorothy Weitzel, and the two remained together until her passing, one day after their 77th wedding anniversary.
Dave enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1943. He joined the V-5 Naval Aviation Cadet program and earned his gold Naval Aviator wings a year later. He and Dorothy married soon after during a brief leave in his pilot training. After the war, they eventually bought a home on Middleboro Road near Newport, where they raised Pennie and David, and lived happily for more than 60 years. In 2018, the couple relocated to The Lorelton, where they safely waited out the pandemic and made many new friends.
Dave worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass for 10 years and Hires Turner Glass Co. for another 37 before retiring from the glass business in 1992. He also worked part-time for many years for Edward F. Lewis and Sons, often delivering flowers in advance of major holidays.
During his rich life, he was a member of Richardson Park United Methodist Church, the Wilmington Optimist Club, and Armstrong Lodge No. 26 A.F. & A.M., where he served as the longtime Dad Advisor for Newport DeMolay, and became a beloved father figure to generations of young men.
Dave’s greatest love was his family. He talked to his children at least once a week throughout their adult lives, and was absolutely adored by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who all knew him as Grampy.
Sadly, his son David passed away in 2009 and Dorothy followed in 2021. He also was predeceased by his brothers and sisters Samuel, Joseph, Gladys, Louise, Walter and Gene.
He is survived by his daughter Pennie Smith (Jon), his daughter-in-law Mollie Goss, his grandchildren Scott Goss (Maddy), Samantha Goss, Amanda Smith, and Kerrie Allen (Nate), and his great-grandchildren Dylan Butler, Madison Butler, Charles Allen, Elinor Allen and Lily Goss.
His funeral service will be held on Friday, August 30 at NICHOLS-GILMORE FUNERAL HOME, 212 E. Justis St., Wilmington, DE 19804, where visitation will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a Masonic Service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at Gracelawn Memorial Park.
The family would like to say a special thank you to The Lorelton and Compassionate Care Hospice staff for the wonderful care they gave to Dave.
In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
To send online condolences, visit nicholsgilmore.com.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Nichols-Gilmore Funeral Home
Service
Nichols-Gilmore Funeral Home
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors