David Dockstader: A Legacy of Service and Courage

David John Dockstader, 81, of Hopkinton, MA, passed away peacefully at home on August 15th, surrounded by his close family. This was after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Somerville in 1945, he was the son of the late John and Libby Dockstader. He was a 1963 graduate of Hopkinton High School. During his life, he resided in Hopkinton, Southborough, and surrounding towns for 71 of his 81 years.

David was a Boy Scout in Troop 1 in Hopkinton and an adult leader of Cub Pack 21 and Troop 92 in Southborough.  He was a US Navy veteran. Additionally, he was a plank holder of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67).

He later joined the Southborough Fire Department and was a charter member of Southborough Permanent Firefighters Local 3129. Later, he retired as a Captain after 30 years.

“Maybe I’m not cut out for this after all,” Dave thought when he came home with a headache and vomiting after fighting his first fire with the Southborough FD.

He learned later that they all felt sick after a fire, back in the mid-1970s, before respirators. But he came to realize it was perfect for him, and there was nothing else he’d rather do.  

He attended college at Boston University and Emmanuel College, earning a BA in Fine Arts. Later, he attended Anna Maria College and earned a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology.

He was a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and served on the Central Mass CISM team for first responders. He also served as the coordinator of the Southborough/Northborough Trauma Response Network. 

A lifelong artist, he explored many different mediums, and he studied with other artists both here and abroad. In 1989, he took a job teaching art to children in the Assabet Valley Collaborative and found a new family among the teaching staff and students. He stayed for 37 years. David said it was the most rewarding years of his career.  

He adored his family. David was preceded in death by his parents, his former wife Ann, and his brother William. Dave is survived by his devoted wife of 25 years, Virginia. He is also survived by his son John of Colorado, his brother Bruce (Sue) of Ohio, his sister Deborah Gray (Stewart) of New Hampshire, sister-in-law Linda (William) of Washington, nephews Tad (Lee) of Pennsylvania and Ara (Michelle) of Ohio, niece Lianne Avery (Andrew) of New Hampshire, and cousins in Gloucester, MA.

Always cheerful and friendly, Dave was respected by all who met him and made families out of his groups of friends, neighbors, colleagues, and students. He always sought connections and bridges to others.  

Davi continued to meet with his high school classmates for lunch every other week up until the very end. 

He is grateful to the outstanding staff at Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center and Milford Regional Medical Center Cancer Center of Excellence.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory can be made to these organizations.  

Our dear friends may join us for visitation on Friday, August 21st, from 4pm to 6pm at Chesmore Funeral Home, 57 Hayden Rowe St, Hopkinton, www.ChesmoreFuneralHome.com 

A memorial service will be held at the funeral home at 6pm. Interment will be in the Collins family plot at Beechbrook Cemetery in Gloucester, MA, at a later date.