David MacDougall Randell, Sr. died Wednesday, March 18th at home after a period of declining health. He is survived by his wife of almost 52 years, Phyllis (McAleer) Randell of Portsmouth, NH, his children, Barbara Randell of Denver, CO, David M. Randell, Jr. (Anne) of Port Chester, NY, Alexis Lang (Scott) of Portsmouth, NH, and Elizabeth Gunsher (Joshua) of Middletown, OH. He is also survived by his sister Jean Sommers of Traverse City, MI, his fifteen grandchildren, and his nieces and nephews.

David was born March 24, 1939 in London, England, and emigrated to the US in 1940 with his parents, Norman and Dorothy (Hodgman) Randell, settling in Katonah, NY. He attended the nearby Rye Country Day School and played high school football there. It is also where he met his first wife, Barbara and David’s mother, Toinette.

He served in the United States Air Force as a surgical tech stationed in Plattsburgh, NY from 1958-1962, and went on to study Business Administration at University of Miami in Florida, graduating in 1964. It was after moving to Beverly Farms, MA in 1973 that he met Phyllis. The couple was married in 1974, and relocated to Portsmouth, NH in 1983.

During his life, David was a Dodger fan until they left Brooklyn, a ranch hand in South Dakota, a unit manager at what is now Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and worked on the line at Smuttynose Brewing Co. He was an active member of the Elks Lodge #97 for 36 years, and seemed to know most of Portsmouth as a result —much to his younger daughters’ dismay (“aren’t you David’s kid?”). One of the highlights of his year was volunteering with the Elks’ holiday basket program; he spent many seasons bringing extra cheer to local families.

David will be long remembered as a snappy dresser with a dry wit and a cheeky smile. He loved collecting and sharing jokes. Some were great, and begged to be repeated; others made you groan. At the same time, he epitomized “still waters run deep.” He kept his own counsel, and was known to say that God gives us two ears and one mouth for a reason. He loved sitting on the front porch listening to the Red Sox on the radio, or visiting with friends and neighbors on the back deck.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to the staff at Harborside Hospice for the compassionate care they gave David, and the support they gave Phyllis as she cared for him at home.

A Celebration of Life is planned for the summer.