SANFORD, Fla. - Family and friends mourn the passing of a bright light in their lives. David E. Green, 63, of Sanford, Fla., formerly of Traverse City, succumbed, after a long illness and a valiant fight, on Jan. 24, 2005. The eagle soars and so does he.
He was born in Traverse City on March 26, 1941, the son of the late Earl and Virginia (Hanna) Green. Dave married Shirlee (Sobbry) Shumsky on March 17, 1979, in Elk Rapids, and shortly after they moved to Florida when Dave's trade as a drywall finisher took him to Disney's Epcot Center, where he worked for several years.
Dave had an outstanding reputation for over 25 years as a fast-pitch baseball player in Michigan, Wisconsin and Florida. He pitched four games in a row to win Wisconsin's Allstate Class C Men's Fast-pitch Tournament in 1978. He was clocked at 101 miles per hour and voted Most Valuable Player and Most Valuable Pitcher.
His love of the outdoors included fishing and hunting in northern Michigan. He was an avid golfer, experiencing not one, but two holes-in-one. He and Shirlee shared their enthusiasm for bingo and cards with many friends and family.
He was a member of Sanford Elk's Lodge 1241 and Lion's Club.
Dave loved life, family, friends and his dog, Sassy. He will always be remembered as a generous and giving friend to many, with a great sense of humor.
Along with his wife, Shirlee, Dave is survived by his children, Timothy and Mark Green of Traverse City, Terry (Edna) Green of Apopka, Fla., and Lori (Ronald) Spohn of Spring Creek, Nev. Stepchildren include Patricia (Dan) Greene of Jackson, Richard Shumsky Jr. and Betsy Palmer of Sanford, Fla., and Connie (Bill) Perkins of Deltona, Fla. Brothers and sisters include Jerry (Donna) Green, Vicki (Alfred) Scriver, Minnie (Art) Gagnon, Betty (Merlin) Shawnoskey, all of Traverse City, Robert (Patricia) Green of Spring Lake, Beverly (Lonnie) Schaub of Kingsley and Paula (Larry) Gauthier of Grawn. Survivors also include 23 grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
His children's mother, Beverly J. Green, preceded him in death in 2003.
A line from one of his favorite songs is, "Six days on the road and I'm gonna' make it home tonight." It's been a long road, Dave, but you're home now.
The Banfield Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements and cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held in Traverse City this summer.
Condolences may be directed to Shirlee Green, c/o Banfield Funeral Home, 420 W. State Road 434, Winter Springs, FL 32708.