David Sproul

On November 30, 2020, David Sproul passed peacefully at 88 years of age. In true Dave Sproul fashion, he was one of the last to leave the party. He was preceded in death by many of his long-time friends, his brother (Al), a beloved grandchild (Davie), and his parents (Leona and Albert). He leaves behind Becky, his wonderful wife of 58 years; five children Cindy (Bob), Carolyn (David), Theodore (Donna), Connie (Scott), Catherine; his dog Reagan, and ten grandchildren; Caity, Colin, Logan, Davis, Carson, Paige, Nathan, Meghan, Jack, and Stephen.

Dave always had a full agenda for the day and had an incredible work ethic. His children lovingly referred to him as the "Energizer Bunny." Even at 88, it was common to find him outside splitting firewood, shoveling the walkway, fixing things, or on the lake sailing. Multiple times a day, he took his cherished dogs on long walks. It was on one of those walks that he was gravely injured after slipping on wet leaves.

Professionally, Dave was the retired president of Donnelly & Sproul Insurance and earned the CPCU designation from the College of Insurance. He served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Alpine Learning Board of Directors, and on the Hackensack Golf Club Board of Directors.

Dave was a patriot and proud of his service as an Army MP. Some of his service was spent patrolling Germany and Austria's backcountry borders on wooden, edgeless skis. He never forgot the friends he lost and proudly stood for the national anthem in their memory, even if it was on TV before a football game.

Socially, Dave never met a stranger. He talked to everyone and loved making new friends. His friendly conversations and humor made him memorable to all he met. To close friends, "Dancin' Dave" was frequently the life of the party. He stayed in touch with old friends, including those from Teaneck High School, Colgate University, the Ski Club of NJ, the Hackensack Golf Club, and the Kiwanis Club of Hackensack (who voted him "Father of the Year" several times).

Family meant the world to Dave. He was always available for his children and grandchildren with sound advice and a willingness to support them in good times and bad. He never stopped learning and enjoyed passing his knowledge and experience on to family and friends.

For 25 years, he was a volunteer on the National Ski Patrol. He taught all his children how to ski, wearing that reversible Ski Patrol jacket and the knickers with the pockets deep enough to hold the hats and gloves shed by five kids when the sun came out. He was still skiing well into his 80s.

Golf was also important to Dave, and he never stopped working to improve his game. After his recent fall, one of his first reactions was frustration that his injuries would hurt his golf game.

Memorial service plans will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, Dave would have wanted us to do something to help take care of others. Donations made in Dave's memory to www.bergenunitedway.org (United Way Suite 220, 6 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652) will be used to support Ridgewood housing projects for veterans and individuals with special needs.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of David Sproul, please visit our floral store.