David Trabold Grapes

Kent Island resident Dave Grapes passed away peacefully at home on Monday July 24, 2023, after a four-year battle with cancer. He was 68. He was born on April 1, 1955, in Martinsburg, WV, to the late Roger and Marion Grapes. Dave was then known as the most lovable “April Fool.” He was raised in Wheaton, MD, and graduated from Wheaton High School, where he was a friend to all and his only desire was to make people smile and laugh which he continued to do throughout his life. On November 30, 1996, Dave married the love of his life, Sue Cairo, and they moved to Kent Island where they built a happy life for the past 27 years. Dave served as a mailman for the U.S. Postal Service until he retired in 2009, serving for a total of 32 years. He loved being a mailman and making many lifelong friends throughout his career. He then opened his own business, “Dave’s Handyman Service,” where he renovated, created, and worked on projects big and small for his clients and friends. An excellent woodworker, he had an eye for design and because of his strong engineering skills was able to deliver on many projects to happy customers throughout Kent Island and beyond. An avid golfer and fisherman, Dave’s joy in life was found out on the golf course and on the water. He happily ran the Men’s Tuesday Night Golf League at Blue Heron Golf Course for over 20 years. He loved the camaraderie of playing with golfers of different skill levels and encouraging them to always “go whack them balls!” He was always frustrated with his game, but loved it more than anything, even managing to get a Hole in One on January 23, 2018. While golf was his passion on the land, being out on his boat “Raisin' Fish” gave him many hours of joy on the Eastern Bay. He enjoyed taking his nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids out on the boat to learn the wonders of fishing and boating. Dave was an exceptional friend to all. His charismatic personality, sharp wit, and wonderful stories left everyone he met happier. He had the gift of gab and an incredible sense of humor, oftentimes responding with the always unexpected witty retorts that would leave people amazed and in stitches. He was also a prolific poem writer and enjoyed the smiles on friends and family’s faces when reading them. You could always rely on Dave for advice, tools, time, and a beer, no matter the time of day. His thoughtfulness, generosity and optimism impacted so many lives and he will be dearly missed. Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Sue; his two adorable beagles, Willie and Sophie; brothers, Al Grapes (Christine) and the late Jane Grapes (Harry Bilodeau); nephews, Rick Grapes (Trisha) and Kevin Grapes (Crystie); great-nephews, Alex, Liam, and Hayden Grapes; in-laws, Laurie Cairo and the late Tony Cairo; brother-in-laws, Mike Cairo, Rick Cairo (Joyce), Jim Cairo (Lisa); sister-in-law, Cathy Patrick (Steve); and nieces and nephews, Jimmy Cairo, Susie Patrick, Michael Patrick, Keith Cairo, Maura Cairo, and Brandon and Liam Schramm. A service will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home in Chester, MD, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 2 p.m. with a visitation from 12 p.m.-2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105.

David Trabold Grapes

April 1, 1955 - July 24, 2023