David E. Babson ’66 died on May 2, 2020, in Gloucester, Massachusetts. 

(The following was provided by the Gloucester Times on May 6, 2020)

David Elmer Babson, 76, died May 2, 2020, from complications due to his heart condition, surrounded by his loving family at his home in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

He was a devoted husband of 47 years to Mary “Val” Cogswell Babson, who predeceased him by nine months. His devotion to caring for her through her years of living with Alzheimer’s disease demonstrated his kind and generous nature. He was a gentle, loving father, uncle, and grandfather, always reminding us how grateful he was. He loved being at his father’s duck camp in the marsh, scalloping in Chappy, reading a book from his inner tube in Lobster Cove, sharing his love of classical music, and napping every chance he got.

He attended Gloucester High School, graduated from Kimball Union Academy, Bowdoin College, class of 1966, and earned his J.D. and L.L.M., Masters in Taxation, from Boston University. He served as first lieutenant in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and earned The Bronze Star and Army Commendation medals. He worked as an attorney, starting as Special Assistant District Attorney for Essex County, practiced in Gloucester as part of Bagshaw & Babson, and then continued in his own practice, since 1996.

He took pride in his membership in the Gloucester Rotary and looked forward to mixing the batter at the annual pancake breakfast. He told us often about the year he was president, when he opened each meeting with a joke, even though no one ever laughed. It was important for him that he remained lighthearted, humble, and positive, both professionally and personally. He was proud to be named a Paul Harris Fellow, but even more proud when his wife, Val, later earned this achievement. He served his community in a variety of ways including as president of the Babson Historical Association for 35 years, Essex County Bar Advocates for 36 years, a director of the Mount Adnah Cemetery, and the vice president and counsel for the Gloucester Development Team for over 40 years, where he was instrumental in turning Central Grammar School into affordable housing units.

He is survived by his three children, David B. Babson and his wife, Annalei (McGreevy) Babson, and their children, Kavika and Toni Rose, of Gloucester; Amanda L. Babson of Narragansett, R.I.; and Warren C. Babson and his wife, Rachel Grinstead-Babson, and their children, Winston and Cedarmae, of Gloucester; and his siblings, Willam “Jack” Babson and his wife, Annie Laurie, of Sinclair, Maine, and Montrose, California; Anne “Jill” Carter of Hanover, N.H.; and Thomas Babson and his wife, Kelly, of Gloucester. He was predeceased by his parents, William Warren and Anne Wilbon Babson, of Gloucester. He was loved by cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends who will always remember him for his great spirit. He truly was, as his saying goes: “Brave, Courageous, and True.”