David Douglas Vipond

David Douglas Vipond, 58, of Manchester, CT passed away suddenly at his home shortly after Thanksgiving. 
David was born on August 9, 1963 and came to the Laconia and Gilford area as a young teenager. The quote: “Life is short, need to live every day like it’s your last” was at the top of his facebook feed, and this statement is how he lived life; to the fullest. 
As a teenager and young man, David was never given any real opportunities. Rather he created opportunity and made his own good luck, even as a kid. He defied all odds and became a very successful man through hard work, perseverance and his amiable charm.
David started his career in dining services at the old Kings Grant Inn in Gilford. He was like a sponge who wanted to learn as much as he could about culinary arts and all aspects of the foodservice industry. This thirst for knowledge pushed David to be the best he could be. He started in the business as a dishwasher and was ultimately promoted to chef at Kings Grant.
David soon joined the Sodexo Corporation at Southern NH Medical Center as first cook and was, once again, quickly promoted to chef. He worked for Sodexo through 2001, moving up the ladder to Foodservice Director of 3 prestigious medical centers in Massachusetts during his time with Sodexo. David’s career blossomed even more when he joined Morrison Management Specialists in Atlanta, Georgia in January of 2002.  He soon moved through the ranks within Morrison until his final promotion, indeed a pinnacle and well-earned position of Regional Director of Operations. Dave had an incredible knack for identifying talent, and he was so good at developing people in their roles. He would say “Surround yourself with good people. Don’t feel threatened. They’ll make you better” David retired from Morrisons about a year ago due to challenges with multiple sclerosis.
Our friend was a wonderful human being!!! He loved the New England Patriots and the Boston Red Sox and would attend games anywhere he could. Sometimes that meant going to Florida, California or anywhere in-between. He always exchanged “pleasantries” with any Yankee fan who chose to challenge his Sox. To say Dave was a head-banging concert-goer is an understatement. Most, if not all, of his friends could attest to this. He was as gregarious as a person could be, and anyone who spent time with him, came away a better person because of it. Camping, deep-sea fishing or just chatting with friends, David loved it all.
If there was ever an individual who succeeded, despite the fact that the deck was stacked against him, it is David Vipond. All those who knew him will experience a very large void, and he will be sorely missed.
David is survived by his sister Leslie, who resides in Lewiston, Maine and his long-time companion, Jeannie Stafford, who lives in Stoughton, Massachusetts. 
At a date in the future, Dave’s friends will be able to get together to celebrate the giant of a man he was to us all. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Dave’s name, which can be found at (nationalmssociety.org).

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