He was a simple man with a generous heart
Published April 1, 2021
NORTH READING — David H. Wilson, 62, of North Reading, died of COVID on Wednesday, March 24, 2021, with his wife of nearly 40 years by his side.
He was born in Winchester on June 19, 1958 to the late Rodger and Clara Wilson of North Reading. He was raised in the house his father built and graduated from North Reading High School in 1976. While David worked in the automotive business most of his years, he was a jack-of-all-trades who could quite literally fix anything.
David liked to be in the background and tried to tell everyone he met that he was a grumpy, old man. But beneath what he thought was a tough exterior was the most generous and loving man. He was a true servant and lived his life to serve God and others, extending beyond his wife and 12 children. He became Papa Wilson to countless, taking them into his home and including them in the many Wilson events. No matter the time of day or how tired he might have been, he never hesitated to give of his time, money, skills and love to anyone who needed it, even strangers he might never see again.
In addition to his typical acts of generosity, such as getting under the hood of a car in a suit and tie or taking his vacation time to help a friend or church put a roof on their house, he also volunteered his time and van to transport people to his church from various nursing homes and homeless shelters in Boston. He occasionally ran the kitchen for a homeless food service in Haverhill and for years met with guys in local prisons to encourage them and give them hope.
His family was everything to him, especially the love of his life, “Mrs. Wilson” as he affectionately called her. He loved to spoil her however he could and would delight and embarrass his kids by often and randomly pulling her into a dance in their tiny kitchen. He poured his heart and knowledge into his family and taught his kids to love God and each other and, in no uncertain terms, respect and love their mama. He taught them how to work on their own houses and cars. His favorite times were when all his family was together, taking cross-country road trips or a spontaneous day trip to his favorite spot in the White Mountains of New Hampshire when his kids were younger, or pool parties and bonfires in the backyard in later years.
He was Grampy – or “Bumpy” – to 18 grandchildren who broke through his attempted grumpy, outside shell and exposed the gentle bear that he was. He went to their ball games, watched their movies, read them books, and toted them around while he was working on a project.
He was a simple man who dreamed big. He loved wide open spaces and dreamed of buying a big RV and exploring the U.S. with his family. He loved to go to the Elks or The Dog and play pool with his daughters or sons or really, anyone who would play with him. He loved to tell dad jokes and would talk to anyone who would listen.
He will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 39 years, Lyn Wilson; his 12 children: Elizabeth (Wilson) Evans and her husband, Greg Evans; Jared Wilson and his five children, Isaiah, Luke, Zachery, Natalia and GraceLyn; Joshua Wilson, his wife Alicia and their daughter Adalina; Andrew Wilson, his partner Mel Hartrey and their six children, Alexandra Hartrey, Andrew Jr., Chrystopher, Alexis, Haley and Savannah; Patricia (Wilson) Marchese, her husband Chris Marchese and their four children, Emily, Timothy, Rosalie and Jonathan; Timothy Wilson, his wife Alexis Street and their son Christian; Daniel Wilson and his son Jackson; Jonathan Wilson; Carolyn Wilson and her partner Rob Leaster; Caleb Wilson, his wife Anna and their daughter Sophie; Nathanael Wilson; and Hannah Wilson; his mother-in-law Margaret Hardy; and his brother-in-law and best friend, Steven Michael Hardy.
He also is survived by his three brothers, Gary Wilson and his late wife Gail; Franklin Wilson and his wife Ruth; and Rodger Wilson and his wife Diane. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles, sisters and brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews and countless friends and “children” who call him Papa Wilson. He was pre-deceased by his parents, Rodger and Clara Wilson, and his father-in-law Noel Hardy.
A celebration of his life will be held at Trinity Evangelical Church, 105 Haverhill Street, North Reading on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you would honor David by donating to a cause of your choosing. Till we see you again…RIP David, “hun,” Dad, Grampy, Bumpy, Mr. or Papa Wilson. Arrangements are under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. To see or write an online message of condolence please visit www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
