Obituaries

Mottoli, David “Dave,” of Gulfport, passed away 1/12/2021. Born and raised in Lawrence, MA where he lived until 1951 when he moved with his bride to Hicksville, on Long Island, NY, where he lived with his beautiful wife Lucy for 62 years, until her passing in 2013. He raised his two daughters, Pat Mottoli-Monnia and Nancy Mottoli-Wedlock and actively participated in his children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s lives. He retired from Grumman Aerospace in 1986, working on NASA and military aircraft.

At 99, Dave was very independent, living in his condo in Town Shores. For the past five years, he found a life he absolutely loved with so many new friends he treasured. He loved music all his life and here he found The Gazebo/ Pavilion at the Gulfport beach, where you could find him almost daily tapping his fingers and toes to the music – and yes find him dancing a few times.

He was a very proud WWII veteran, serving in the Army Air Corp 25th Fighting Squadron. He loved this country and was so proud to serve it. Gulfport welcomed him and he was asked to be in its many parades, which he loved doing. He became well known in Gulfport as he drove around in his scooter adorned with American flags; many people would stop him and thank him for his service or just to chat.

There will be a “Celebration of life” in August on his 100th birthday. He will surely be missed, but always remembered with a smile.

Mottoli family