David R. Birmingham Sr., 78, of Camden went home to his Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sunday, January 24th, 2021 at St. Luke’s Hospital, Utica, New York with his family by his side.
Born in Oneida, on February 15, 1942. David was the second son of Kenneth R. and Cathleen (Spoon) Birmingham.
David grew up on his family’s farm in Carterville, New York. His boyhood years were spent helping on the farm, but he also did spend a lot of his adolescent years doing what he loved most, spending time in nature, hunting, fishing, camping on Carterville pond, swimming in Panther Lake, and enjoying his siblings and many childhood friends, especially his lifelong friend Tom Harrington.
David graduated from APW Central School in 1958. He furthered his education by graduating from Delhi Tech in 1963 with an Associates in Applied Science in Hotel Management. While at Delhi, David was a member of Kappa Sigma Epsilon Fraternity and the Newman Club.
On March 15th, 1962 he married the love of his life, Carol Britton, at the St. John’s Rectory in Camden, a blessed union of 58 years.
David’s career was diverse. He was employed at Camden Wire for 23 years, starting at the bottom and rising through the ranks to achieve the position of National Sales Manager. At the age of 47 David resigned from the wire industry and returned to the land he loved as an independent logging contractor, a career he retired from at the age of 65. David was well respected for his business knowledge, ethics, and integrity.
AT the age of 25. David took up the game of golf, which he enjoyed for the rest of his life. He was a 55-year member of the McConnellsville Golf Course and was affectionately known by his golfing buddies as “Lefty”. He was a millennium honor roll member of the NRA, a lifelong member of the North American Hunting Club, a 50-year honorary member of the Camden Fire Department, and a life-long communicant of St. John the Evangelist Church in Camden, New York.
David spent many seasons hunting with his sons, and later his grandsons. He took great pride and joy when each would get their first deer, a happy memory for all. David also enjoyed watching his favorite race car driver, Dale Earnhardt as well as his favorite football team the Washington Redskins.
Surviving besides his wife Carol are two daughters, Theresa Serway and Deborah & Tim Sherwood: two sons, David Jr. & Tina Birmingham, and Christopher & Maureen Birmingham. Fourteen grandchildren, Jessica Garbarino, Angela Bortle, Evan Birmingham, Sara Harris, David Birmingham III, Gary & Heidi Newell, Shannon, Cody and Kimberly Birmingham, Christopher and Daniel Birmingham, Lucas Reynolds-Sherwood, and Aaron Reynolds. Twenty-one great grandchildren: Riley, Izzy, Landon, Ryder, Jacqueline, Gianna, Ariel, River, Noah, Layla, Anastasia, Kaitlyn, Serenity, Delilah, Isaac, Ronan, Carter, Emily, Greyson, Olivia, and Micah (due in March), four brothers: Paul Birmingham, Thomas & Darlene Birmingham, Timothy Birmingham, and Michael & Michelle Birmingham; 3 sisters Catherine & Tom Harrington, Helen Harrington and Rick and Ann Bryant, sisters- in- law: Joan Kuc and Sandra Birmingham plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He also leaves behind his beloved miniature dachshunds, Otto and Willie.
He was predeceased by his parents, his brother, Kenneth James, a nephew Kenneth James Jr, a nephew Kenneth John, a great nephew Joshua Birmingham, great nephew Erin Birmingham, brothers-in-laws, Leon Harrington, Vernon Britton and wife Jeannette, Felix Kuc and Edmond Robinson and wife Fern, sister-in-law Barbara Birmingham, a son- in- law Timothy Reynolds and several aunts and uncles.
David passed due to complications of Covid-19 which he contracted during his stay at the hospital. We urge you to please protect yourself and your loved ones by adhering to the guidelines set by the CDC.
Calling hours will be Thursday, January 28th, 2021 from 5 - 7 p.m. at the LaRobardiere Funeral Home, 109 Main St., Camden, New York. A Catholic Mass will be held at St. John’s the Evangelist Church on Friday, January 29th, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Face masks and Covid restrictions apply. A spring internment in St. John's Cemetery will be held at a date to be determined.
Donations in David’s name can be made to the Camden Volunteer Fire Dept., St. Jude’s Hospital and Shriner’s Hospital.
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Summer Glory Fireside Basket was sent by Mark, Thomasina, and Elizabeth Longshore.