This Memorial Square comes to us from Florence in California in memory of David Specland, her husband of 40 years. David was a people-person: a guy who couldn’t wait to tell you the last joke he heard; couldn’t wait to make you laugh; couldn’t wait to get along with you.
He was passionate about sports, music, wine, his friends and his family. He was a diehard fan of the Mets, the Warriors, and the 49ers (a season ticket-holder for 30 years).
He cared about equality and justice and treating people with respect. He had friends of every race and sexual orientation and political point of view. He believed it’s okay to disagree with people; it doesn’t mean you can’t love them.
He was in Media Sales for most of his life, and it’s no surprise that he was good at it. But he also would’ve been a fantastic History teacher. For any American war, he was a walking encyclopedia.
He could drive a stick shift, and he loved to travel: Italy, Hawaii, Japan, Bordeaux, Thailand, South America, Germany, Dubrovnik. He made friends everywhere.
He liked Beethoven and songs from the Civil War, Frank Sinatra and The Beach Boys. He didn’t really like anything after 1970.
He liked Egg Cream Sodas, bagels and lox; Game of Thrones, and anything in 3D.
He wore cargo shorts and long tube socks; the same Civil War sweatshirt for 30 years, and a full head of excellent hair right until the end.
He did yard work on weekends, and watched baseball games, and umpired baseball games, and talked about baseball games. He loved umpiring, but he loved his family more.
He’s survived by his wife of 40 years, his 2 sons, 1 daughter, 2 grandsons, 1 great granddaughter, and hundreds of friends.
