David Wilcox Allison Jr., longtime resident of Cutchogue and Garden City, died peacefully on October 20, 2015 at Hospice Inn of Melville. He was 80 years old.
Dave was executive vice president of the IBM Corporation, where he was responsible for the data processing department, the precursor to the desktop computer. In later years, he became publisher of The Bayside Times Publishing Corporation, ex-chief of the Garden City Fire Department, manager at the Garden City Hotel and Parks Commissioner for the Town of Southold.
While living in Garden City, Dave and his wife Carol raised three children (Cindy, Kevin and Nancy). Dave was active in the community since moving there in 1967. He became a member of the Garden City Fire Department and held several positions until becoming Chief in 1980. Dave was also heavily involved with the Nassau County Firemen’s Exempt Association for many years as well. He was instrumental in leading the team to the relocate of one of the last remaining Vanderbilt Toll Houses to its currently location on 7th Street, which now houses the Garden City Chamber of Commerce.
He retired in from IBM in 1985 from their headquarters in White Plains. After retirement, Dave became involved with the family business of weekly newspapers that his mother ran until her death in 1977, and he worked with his wife Carol until the newspapers were sold. Upon retirement and the sale of the newspapers, both Carol and Dave moved from Garden City after 30 years to their East End home in Cutchogue.
Retirement never suited Dave much; once a full-time resident of Cutchogue, Dave began a writing career as the golf editor at The Suffolk Times. He wrote a weekly column for several years, then went into real estate working at Abatelli Realty and the Daniel Gale Agency, selling several homes on the North Fork that he loved so much.
At the age of 68, Dave decided he was going to get into the political ring as one of the Southold Park Commissioners. He held the unpaid, elected position where he oversaw the renovations at several beaches in the area and established friendships with so many. While doing this he also became the president of the Fleets Neck Properties Association. Dave fully retired at the age of 78.
Dave and his wife Carol were regulars, along with their dear friends, seven days a week at Karen’s Deli in Cutchogue each and every morning for their daily breakfast pow-wows.
Dave leaves behind his loving wife of 57 years, Carol (Burger), their children Cindy (Tim) Philbin, Kevin (Linda) Allison and Nancy (Michael) Koenig, along with his five grandchildren: Ashley and Kevin Allison, Ryan and Mikey Koenig, and Alli Philbin.
Cremation was private. The family will receive visitors on Sunday, November 1 2-6 p.m. at Costner-Heppner Funeral Home located at 32470 Main Road, Cutchogue.
A funeral Mass with Military Honors will be held on Monday, November 2 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Mattituck.
