David A. Egli, born July 26, 1940, passed away January 17,2026 surrounded by the love of his two daughters, son in law, and grandkids. He left behind a legacy of kindness, curiosity, generosity, and unwavering warmth. To all who knew him, David was a man with a gentle heart, a welcoming smile, and a deep appreciation for the simple joys that made life beautiful. 

In his early years, David loved spending weekends in Cameron, NY with Hank and Rose Okonski. Hank and Rose became like a second family to him, and he cherished every moment spent hunting, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors by their side. Their friendship shaped many of his happiest young memories. 

David proudly served in the United States Air Force, where he worked as an aircraft mechanic, specializing in maintaining and fixing propellers. When planes needed urgent attention—or when crews traveled and might need him mid‑journey—David was the one they called. He often shared stories of flights, close calls, and discovering bullet holes after landing, reflecting both the danger and honor of his service. 

David pursued his education, earning his associate degree from Morrisville College and later completing his bachelor’s degree at the University of Georgia. During his years at both schools, he also became a skilled marksman. He was an active member of the rifle clubs, earned letters for his achievements, and developed a lifelong passion for shooting. In later years, he passed this love on to his daughter Julia, teaching her in the open fields of Cowlesville, NY.  

David continued a life of purpose and dedication as an Earth Science teacher, a truck driver and later became a devoted caregiver to his parents, Erle and Mary Ellen Egli. He loved them deeply and cared for them in the home they had all built together.  These careers combined his love of learning, hands‑on work, and family.  

Dad cherished moments sitting at his picnic table at his home in North Tonawanda, watching cars and boats go by as if each one was part of a personal parade. When he later moved to Rochester, he found the same joy at the Fairport Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, watching the car show from their benches. 

He also had a passion for treasure‑hunting at garage sales and flea markets, especially the Hickey Flea Market on Sundays. He was always on the lookout for a good deal and had a special eye for bicycles. David loved picking up old bikes, fixing them with care, and selling them—turning forgotten items into something useful again. 

He loved working with his hands, often building birdhouses—especially for bluebirds—along with toolboxes and bookshelves for his daughters. He taught them how to care for the birdhouses, explaining the importance of cleaning them each season and always putting two side by side so bluebirds and tree swallows could nest together. He passed along his love of fishing on the Niagara River and taught his family how to clean and grill fish—six minutes on each side until the skin lifted right off. Teaching, sharing, and caring were at the core of who he was. 

David’s favorite color was red, and he was delighted in pointing out red roses, Euonymus bushes, Scotch pines or any other splashes of color in nature during drives with his family. Throughout his life, he carried a deep love for forestry, animals, and birds, spending countless hours outdoors observing the world with the wonder of a naturalist. A lifelong lover of wildlife, David fed birds, fish, and deer with the enthusiasm of someone who felt connected to all living things. 

During the summers when school was out, David built his own business doing what he loved most—working outdoors. He rototilled gardens, plowed, mowed lawns, and chopped wood with his wood splitter, happily spending long days in the fresh air. Being outside brought him peace, purpose, and joy. 

David adored food, and he never outgrew the joy of a favorite meal. Among the many things he loved were steak, liver, sardines, KFC , peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, corn on the cob, cheese, fruit, Reese’s peanut butter cups, soft cookies, and chocolate ice cream. He was famous for making deviled eggs and handing them out generously—because David believed everything, especially food, was meant to be shared. 

He enjoyed traveling to Faun Lake with his daughters each summer, shopping for caramel and sweet corn at Pulleys, and savoring as many ears of corn on the cob as he could—sometimes more than the rest of dinner combined. He loved the fall, the brilliant colors of changing leaves, and taking pictures of them.

David also, had a deep appreciation for classical music, especially piano pieces, and found joy in hearing the Orchestra. His heart, however, belonged to the voices of Rene Flemming and Whitney Houston, whose music he adored. 

One of Dad’s greatest adventures began with his favorite book, Arctic Bush Pilot by Bud Helmericks. He loved the book so much that he wrote to Bud to tell him how much it meant to him. To his surprise, Bud replied and invited him to come to Alaska to experience flying firsthand. Dad took him up on the offer, packed up his family, and spent two unforgettable summers in Alaska. Those summers became cherished stories—encounters with billy goats, bathing in cooking pans, blankets used as curtains, kids sleeping in drawers, long days of fishing, and shooing bears from freshly caught fish. It was an adventure we never would have experienced if it weren’t for Dad’s courage and love of exploration. 

David enjoyed good stories—comedies, westerns, dramas, and documentaries alike. From Doc Martin, Uncle Buck, Overboard, and Bridges of Madison County to Tom Horn, Top Gun, MASH*, and documentaries about Alaska and Africa, he never stopped discovering new favorites. 

Above all, David loved his family—without condition and without hesitation. David spent countless days and nights with his grandkids and partaking in their daily lives, making chicken noodle soup and spaghetti. Always hot on the stove. David loved telling his stories about them, the fudgies and little ones just coming and going out of the house.  David’s face would light up with a welcoming smile whenever family came to visit. He shared everything he had, always wanting everyone to feel included, fed, appreciated, and loved. 

David’s life was a tapestry of simple pleasures, great stories, deep love, and quiet wisdom. He lived with gratitude, humility, and a heart open to every person who crossed his path. He will be deeply missed, forever cherished, and remembered for the love he gave so freely. 

He is now sleeping, but think of him when you see red flowers, rustling trees, grazing deer, and the songs of the birds he loved so much.  We look forward to seeing him again, when all is new! 

Come join us in celebration of life on January 28, 2026 at 2PM at

 Fairport Rehabilitation and Nursing Home

         McKnight room

4646 Fairport Nine Mile Point Road

Fairport, NY 14450