My heartfelt condolences to Dave’s family. I am so deeply sorry for your loss of a great guy.
Dave Salfi has been a dear friend of mine for 39 years. We met at work in 1984 at Fort Belvoir, where he was in charge of staff that printed documents, reproduced all kinds of media and sent packages out across the continental US to support Army missions. He had some strange hours where he worked mid-morning until late at night ensuring packages went out of time for lots of projects. As Nick states in his information on Dave, he had a gift of gab and loved to talk about many topics and he never met a stranger. I suppose his passing on 9/11/23 is fitting because it is a date we all remember because of that tragedy and now another special person to remember each year.
Dave and I became friends outside the office, and would go fire wooding in Big Red, his truck and he would cut wood that was already down on the ground and we would haul it to the truck. He and I both had a wood burning stove and he kept us both in wood for many years. There was a group of 4, sometimes 5 of us that always celebrated birthdays together at various restaurants or bowling alleys or playing pool and we always had a great time. Claudia and I also would have lunch dates with Dave every few months just to keep up even after one by one, we retired. Dave could always be counted on to help a friend. Often, when I was on TDY trips, he would come to my home to stay and take care of my pups and when I was very sick one year, he would stop by every day after work to bring me something to eat or heat up soup for me. There was no one like Dave and his thoughtfulness.
Dave was a treasure to me and a great friend who I loved very much. I was so sad when he called to tell me he had cancer. I was glad that Claudia and I were able to stop by and see him before God took him home to heaven. As I write, I am very sad but know he is at peace now and no longer scared and just waiting for it to be over. His battle is over and I know he lived a good life and had many friends who loved him through bowling and golfing. I will miss him very much. I’m glad I was able to meet his brother Nick, as I feel like I still have a small connection to a very dear friend. Rest in Peace Dave, you deserve the best and I’m so glad to have known you for so many years.
