1929
David
2012
David H. Searles
June 22, 1929 — July 23, 2012
David H. Searles, 83, of Upton, died early Monday, July 23, 2012 in Milford Regional Medical Center after an illness. He was a self-employed carpenter and the husband of Rose Marie (Moschini) Searles of Grafton.
Mr. Searles was born in Milford, the son of the late Alvin and Evelyn (Cummings) Searles. He had lived in Ashland and Hopkinton before coming to Upton in 1966.
David began work as a carpenter after graduation from high school. He learned the trade very quickly and eventually built a great many houses, from small capes early on to very large and luxurious homes as his ability and reputation grew. However, he was a man who became bored doing the same work and he left the trade very unexpectedly. This came about after his eldest son, Tom, and later his second son, Jon, became involved in racing cars and related vehicles. Parts, books, and magazines were strewn about inside and outside the residence. After a brief time reading these books and magazines, though he had no previous mechanical training, he decided he could build engines better than the professionals. After study and experimentation, he eventually became a very successful race engine builder and cars with his motors won many hundreds of races.
In his later years with newly discovered free time, he began to read about politics and used his penetrating intelligence creating long rants against the candidates he judged incompetent or worse. Another favorite pastime was talking - many times for hours - telling interesting stories of his early life, the life of his ancestors, or just reflecting and commenting on how the world has changed in his long life. He also took joy in using his remaining strength to make bowls, pens, hobby horses, tools, and toys for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He was greatly loved by all and his passing leaves a void that will never be filled. In addition to his wife, he leaves four children, Thomas Searles of Upton, with whom he lived, Geoffrey Searles of Grafton, Susan Page of Utah, and Benjamin Searles of North Grafton; a brother, Donald Searles of Arizona; 15 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Another son, Jonathan Searles, died in 2001.
will be held in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.
There are no calling hours.
Mr. Searles was born in Milford, the son of the late Alvin and Evelyn (Cummings) Searles. He had lived in Ashland and Hopkinton before coming to Upton in 1966.
David began work as a carpenter after graduation from high school. He learned the trade very quickly and eventually built a great many houses, from small capes early on to very large and luxurious homes as his ability and reputation grew. However, he was a man who became bored doing the same work and he left the trade very unexpectedly. This came about after his eldest son, Tom, and later his second son, Jon, became involved in racing cars and related vehicles. Parts, books, and magazines were strewn about inside and outside the residence. After a brief time reading these books and magazines, though he had no previous mechanical training, he decided he could build engines better than the professionals. After study and experimentation, he eventually became a very successful race engine builder and cars with his motors won many hundreds of races.
In his later years with newly discovered free time, he began to read about politics and used his penetrating intelligence creating long rants against the candidates he judged incompetent or worse. Another favorite pastime was talking - many times for hours - telling interesting stories of his early life, the life of his ancestors, or just reflecting and commenting on how the world has changed in his long life. He also took joy in using his remaining strength to make bowls, pens, hobby horses, tools, and toys for his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He was greatly loved by all and his passing leaves a void that will never be filled. In addition to his wife, he leaves four children, Thomas Searles of Upton, with whom he lived, Geoffrey Searles of Grafton, Susan Page of Utah, and Benjamin Searles of North Grafton; a brother, Donald Searles of Arizona; 15 grandchildren; and 26 great-grandchildren. Another son, Jonathan Searles, died in 2001.
Service Details
Following cremation, a private graveside servicewill be held in Lakeview Cemetery in Upton.
There are no calling hours.