David Wilcox Allison Jr.

David Wilcox Allison Jr., longtime resident of Cutchogue and Garden City, died peacefully Oct. 20, 2015, at Hospice Inn of Melville. 

Dave was executive vice president with IBM Corporation beginning in 1965 and was responsible for the data processing department, which was the precursor to the desktop computer. In later years, he became publisher of The Bayside Times Publishing Corporation, ex-chief of the Garden City Fire Department, manager at the Garden City Hotel and parks commissioner for the Town of Southold.

While living in Garden City, Dave and his wife, Carol, raised three children, Cindy, Kevin and Nancy. Dave was active in the community after moving there in 1967. He became a member of the Garden City Fire Department and held several positions before becoming chief in 1980. Dave was also heavily involved with the Nassau County Firemen’s Exempt Association for many years. He was instrumental and led the team for relocation of one of the last remaining Vanderbilt Toll Houses to its current location on 7th Street, where it now houses the Garden City Chamber of Commerce.

Dave retired in 1985 from IBM headquarters in White Plains, N.Y. He then became involved with the family business of weekly newspapers, which his mother ran until her death in 1977, and worked along with his wife until the newspapers were sold. Upon retirement and the sale of the newspapers, Carol and Dave moved from Garden City after 30 years to their East End home in Cutchogue.

Retirement never suited Dave much. Once a full-time resident of Cutchogue, Dave began a writing career as golf editor at The Suffolk Times. He wrote a weekly column for several years, then went into real estate, working at Abatelli Realty and the Daniel Gale Agency and selling several homes on the North Fork he loved so much.

At age 68, Dave decided to get into the political ring as one of Southold’s park commissioners. In that unpaid elected position, he oversaw renovations at several beaches in the area and established friendships with so many. While doing this, he also became president of the Fleet’s Neck Property Owners Association. Dave retired fully at the age of 78.

Dave and Carol were regulars, along with their dear friends, seven days a week at Karen’s Deli in Cutchogue for daily breakfast pow-wows.

Dave leaves behind his loving wife of 57 years, Carol (née Burger); their children, Cindy (Tim) Philbin, Kevin (Linda) Allison and Nancy (Michael) Koenig; and five grandchildren, Ashley and Kevin Allison, Ryan and Mikey Koenig and Alli Philbin.

Cremation was private. The family will receive visitors Sunday, Nov. 1, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Costner-Heppner Funeral Home in Cutchogue. A Mass with military honors will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Mattituck.

This is a paid notice.