David Thomas Brinley
David Thomas Brinley, age 77, of Dover, DE, passed away on Thursday, November 11, 2021, at the Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care unit, Christiana Hospital in Wilmington.
David was born in Wilmington, DE and predeceased by his adoptive parents Gladys (Van Hassel) Brinley, Frederick H. Brinley and sister, Gladys (Brinley) Emre. At age four his parents moved to Milltown, New Jersey where he spent his childhood. David graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck, N. J. with a B.S. degree in Biology in 1971 and MBA from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Ill. in 1977. He started his career after graduation with DuPont in Parlin, New Jersey and was transferred to Delaware where he had numerous assignments at the Glasgow Site and Experimental Station and retired after 25 years of service.
David had a passion for hunting and enjoyed going to Wyoming and Oklahoma to hunt for deer, antelope and wild boar. He also loved duck hunting. In his free time, David took his friends and family fishing on his boat in the Delaware Bay and Chesapeake Bay, as well as crabbing. He was an avid baseball fan and baseball memorabilia collector. David also enjoyed going to auctions and flea markets. His most favorite pastime was going to spring training in Florida with his family every year for twenty years. David was member of Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Lycoming County Fishing Club in PA. He was a certified Delaware Master Hunter through the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Fish and Wildlife in the State of Delaware and helped to continue the heritage of hunting and insure its future for coming generations. David received numerous State of Delaware Salt Water Fisherman awards and received the Milltown Sports Hall of Fame Sons of Milltown honor award.
David is survived by his wife, Patricia (Szucs) Brinley; son, David M. Brinley; daughter-in-law, Christina Dietrich; daughter, Colleen A. (Brinley) Carter; granddaughter, Magnolia Patricia Carter; and a sister-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
The Brinley family would like to express their appreciation for the wonderful care given by Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care to David.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 pm until 3 pm on Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 121 West Park Place, Newark, DE. Per the family’s request, face coverings will be required for all those in attendance regardless of vaccination status. Services and interment will be held privately.
David was a conservationist and supporter of Ducks Unlimited. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to support the Ducks Unlimited Greenwing Program to continue supporting their conservation program and as a legacy for future generations of youth and outdoorsman. Donations can be made payable to:
Delaware Ducks Unlimited – Greenwing
Memo: In memory of David Brinley
707 North Governors Avenue
Dover, DE 19904
Peter Stricker
Sad of uncle Dave’s passing. Yes an avid hunter and fisherman Condolences to the whole family. Peter Stricker
Tom Koval
Please accept my deepest condolences regarding Dave’s passing.
Sharon Bond Ruther
I have such fond memories of David and I playing together when we were kids.
RANDY PARKER
To David M. Brinley and family
I’m so sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I knew Dave from the former Glasgow Site.
You are all in my prayers.
Take care,
Randy
Sharon Ruther
As cousins, Dave and I spent many hours together when we visited Aunt Gladys and Uncle Fred. We ran together on the hills behind their house before a housing development was built and in the diggings of the NJ
Turnpike being built near by. I picked my first cultured blueberries with him. He will always be a special cousin in my heart. Rest well Dave!
STAN CYGAN '' CY ''
DAVE WAS ONE OF THE GOOD GUYS . DAVE TOOK BILL STOUT AND I OUT FISHING IN DELAWARE BAY . CAUGHT A LOT OF FISH AND GOT CAUGHT IN A STORM THAT CAME OUT OF NO WHERE WHILE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BAY . TOOK OVER AN HOUR TO GET BACK IN TO MISPILLION INLET . THERE WE RAN OUT OF GAS & HAD TO BE TOWED BY ANOTHER BOATER TO THE DOCK . DAVE DRIVING THE BOAT IN HIGH WINDS , DRENCHING RAIN AND ROUGH SEAS KEPT HIS COOL TRU IT ALL . A GOOD MEMORY .
Joseph Zerman
So sorry for your loss Pat, Dave and Colleen . Memories Dave and our times together will always be remembered.
Kishia Smith
Pat, I am so sorry for your loss as my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
God Bless,
Kishia Smith & Family
Dee & Bob Kovacs
Oh, Pat…..I am so sad….. You and I grew up together through schools and then shared so many memories with Dave & Bob as we dated these 2 incredible men. Wow….the memories!! Our loves are taken from us, but not our memories. What a beautiful video. Love and hugs, Dee & Bob
Roger & Edwina Arnell
Dave was a true blessing in our lives. He was my out door sports and hunting mentor, a great neighbor, and an outstanding man . He will always have a space in our hearts. Our condolences and prayers go out to the Brinley family.
Wendy Tew
So sorry to hear that Dave passed. Sending prayers, hugs and love from your NC family. Thinking of you all Pat.
Sincerely, Tony,Wendy Tyler and Chase Tew
Gail Pate Zahran
Your family is in my thoughts and prayers..
Glenn Marvel
I met Dave when I was 17, you lived next door to a high school friend of mine when we were shooting our bows in the park. He would give us pointers on our lack of skills. He also gave me directions on where he had got a deer on opening deer season day and we went their and I harvested my first buck. As fate has it I began working at the Glasgow DuPont site and ran into Dave again. I can honestly say he got me into deer hunting. Many fond memories of Dave. God Bless the Brinley family.