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David M. Close was born in 1923 in Portchester, New York. In Rye his family lived at 10 Horton Street,. David was a Rye High School Graduate, Class of 1941. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
David grew up in Rye, played football under Fran Walsh, went to Hamilton College. He couldn't get into OCS due to a bad eye and was drafted middle of sophomore year.
He was initially in the ski troops, 10th Mountain Division and went on to fight in the European Theatre with the 35th Infantry Division. He became a decorated officer receiving a Bronze Star for heroism.
.png) "He went into the 10th Mountain Division, and became a ski instructor in Camp Hale, near Leadville, CO. His division was sent to the Pacific to fight the Japanese in the Aleutian Islands. Returned to US, went to OCS and joined the paratroops, broke his arm on a jump, went into the 35th infantry, shipped to Europe on ship with 125 Red Cross nurses, spent the last 9 months of the war in Europe, fought in the battle of Bastogne, was awarded 3 bronze stars.
The most memorable was right after his command had captured Gelsenkirchen in Germany. The town was made up of slave labor from East Germany and very old Germans. A little boy stopped his jeep and said his mother needed help. David discovered the woman was in labor and he couldnt find any medics, so he wound up delivering the baby himself. His unit passed thru Gelsenkirchen after the war ended and the little boy recognized his jeep and brought out the mother and baby for David to see. David Close Rye High School Graduate, class of 1941
Returning to the US after the was David finished college and went into the packaged goods business, working for Coke, General Foods, Beechnut Lifesavers, Richardson Vicks, and then into the advertising industry. He met his wife at the American Yacht Club where she was a sailing instructor. David now lives in Meadow Ridge retirement Community in Reading, CT."
From Interview with son Peter 2013
 After the war, he went back to Hamilton College to finish his Bachelor's Degree. He married Ann Goodeve in 1948 and they settled in Wilton where they raised their family and were lifetime residents. David had a long career in the Advertising field commuting by train to NYC.
After retirement he remained active, more fully able to enjoy his passions of playing tennis, skiing, sailing, gardening, woodworking and world traveling. He was a long time member of Wilton Riding Club, Nutmeg Club and Nod Hill Road Parade Patriots.
David also had a lifelong commitment to community service. He volunteered for the Child Guidance Center of Mid-Fairfield County. He was trained as one of the first Guardian Ad Litum, mentoring and advocating for children for many years. He volunteered for Meals on Wheels, served on the Vestry and sung in the choir at St. Matthew's Church, participated in Kiwanis becoming a CT Lt. Governor.
 In the last few years, David remained active at Meadow Ridge and continued to enjoy his long held friendships, worked on ship models as well as became an acrylic artist creating wonderful seafaring paintings.
David Close David Monteith Close, age 96, of Wilton/Redding, passed away peacefully at his home on September 14, 2019 surrounded by his loving family.
He was predeceased by his wife Ann Goodeve Close (62 years married) and survived by his children Lindsay Close Wallace (Rob Wallace) of Trumbull, CT, Laurie Close (Michael Prikazsky) of Syracuse, NY and Peter Close (Ellen Conway) of Orrington, ME. He is also survived by his grandchildren Garrett Alston, Rachel Prikazsky, Cormac and Aidan Close as well as several nephews and nieces.
A Memorial Service to celebrate the life of David Close was held on Sunday October 27, 2019 at St. Matthew's Episcopal Church.
Published in Wilton Bulletin on Oct. 13, 2019.
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