David Wayne Boszko, Sr., 70, of Mechanicsville, MD, passed away on November 9, 2021 in Leonardtown, MD. Born on October 10, 1951 in Patuxent River, MD, he was the son of the late Bernice May Britton-Boszko Owens and the late Nicholas Boszko. David was the loving husband of Karen L. Boszko, whom he married on August 2, 1975. He is survived by his children David Jr. (Mary) of Mechanicsville, MD, Justin Sr. (Heather) of Mechanicsville, MD, and Jessica (Tim) of Lynchburg, VA, his siblings Nick Boszko of Wesley Chapel, FL and Victoria Owens of Mechanicsville, MD, as well as seven grandchildren. David was preceded in death by his stepfather, Harold “Shorty” Owens, who loved him as his own.
David was a lifelong St. Mary’s County, MD resident and graduated from Great Mills High School in 1970. He served in the Air Force from March 10, 1971 to September 20, 1972, and was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas. David was a firefighter for NAS Patuxent River, MD for 27 years, retiring on January 1, 2001.
The love between Dave’s mom, Bernice, and his dad, Nick, was unconditional. Nick was a marine and stationed at Camp Lejeune, NC when, unfortunately, he died in a tragic automobile accident just six days prior to Dave’s first birthday. Bernice brought the boys back to Maryland, where she found true love again and married Harold “Shorty” Owens. He welcomed the boys with open arms and loved them as they were his own. As Bernice and Shorty grew as a family, the boys were later blessed with a little sister, Vikki.
In October 1973, Dave saw Karen for the very first time and told his friend, “I’m going to marry that girl one day.” So hard to believe, but in August 1975 they were married. Before their first child was born, Dave told his best friend, Donnie, that he and Karen were planning to have a baby. Donnie made a bet that was typed, dated, and signed by both that NO children would be conceived or born within one year, and if so, Donnie would owe Dave $100.00. Well, Donnie lost! His children, David Jr., Justin, and Jessica, were the love of his life, along with their spouses, Mary, Heather, and Tim; and, to top things off, his seven grandchildren, Kaylee, Khloe, Kenzie, Justin Jr. “JJ”, Cheyanne, Kody, and DaKoda, who affectionately called him Pop Pop.
Dave had a tough exterior, but on the inside, he had a heart of gold, even though he didn’t like to show it at times. Dave enjoyed life to the fullest, from being a Volunteer Firefighter, Federal Firefighter, riding his 60 Panhead with a suicide clutch (with his best friends), catering at the Elks Lodge, golfing (especially with Jerry, who would throw his golf club into trees when he was upset), RVing to NASCAR races with family and friends (he loved Jimmy Spencer and Denny Hamlin), playing pitch/Texas hold ‘em, trot lining, fishing, eating snow crab legs and oysters, lunch with the Boys, especially Captain Mo. No one could ever break the very special bond that he had with his fireman brothers. He will be truly missed by all that loved and knew him.
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 19, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel at 11:00 AM with Chaplin Keith Fairfax officiating. Interment will be private.
Contributions may be made to your local fire department or rescue squad.
