1956 ~ 2024
David Albert Sillence, 67, of Northport, MI, formerly South Lyon, MI, passed away on June 24, 2024 with his family around him.
Dave was born on September 28, 1956 in Toledo, Ohio to Dorothy (Perry) and Edward Sillence. He was raised in Toledo, OH and graduated from DeVillbis High School, in 1974.
He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Lawrence Institute of Technology with a degree in Construction Engineering and obtained his Professional Engineers license. Dave started his long career in Power Plant Design and Construction in 1978, in the estimating group at Townsend and Bottum, based in Ann Arbor Michigan. He subsequently worked for other power plant contractors Cummins & Barnard, TIC, and Black and Veatch. He worked in the estimating field for most of his 36-year career in the industry. He has maintained his long term friendships with a wonderful, loyal group of former co-workers and their families all these years.
He met Susan Elaine Cox while they both were working for a construction company and the two were married in Northville Michigan in 1981. They lived in South Lyon for over 30 years and proudly raised two sons, Michael and Gregory. Life changed and the two parted ways.
Dave, encouraged by his sons, started a search for a new partner in life and was blessed to meet Julie Anne Whalls in Ann Arbor, MI and as he put it – “It was love at first sight”. They were happily married and rarely were apart. They had a very strong, loving, respectful relationship that they both cherished. They took a leap of faith and decided to buy and renovate an old cottage in Northport, MI, on Grand Traverse Bay, in 2015, which became their retirement home in 2018. They could barely believe their luck in finding such a beautiful spot to live and host children, grandchildren and friends. Dave did all of the design work, custom woodwork and finish work himself on the Northport home and many renovation projects on previous family homes. Everywhere his family looks they see all of Dave’s thoughtful, gifted accomplishments.
David had varying hobbies and recreational interests including, boating, golfing, watching Big Ten college sports & Detroit Red Wings, architectural designing/ building, but his passion was cars. He attributes his love of cars to his brother Don and an older cousin. He started attending races with his brother and friends, usually camping out. He went to all the major US Formula 1 races from 1974 to 1984 and continued to follow the sport of F1. Dave liked old British sports cars and he had an old MGA that he worked on. Later in life he was fortunate to have a fun and fast special Bullitt Mustang. He also acquired a 1974 E-Type Series 3 Jaguar that was his retirement project. He worked happily, diligently on this restoration project with lots of help from local Leelanau experts (Thanks Darin and JP). His Jaguar parts spreadsheets are legendary. The project just lacks some finishing up which his sons and brother will manage.
Dave’s family is wondering what they will do without his laughter, guidance, love, kindness and generosity. He was their champion, and would think nothing of dropping everything to help them through all of life’s important or difficult decisions. He fiercely adored his grandchildren and tried his best to be present for them in any way he could.
David is survived by his wife Julie Whalls; his sons, Michael (Elizabeth) Sillence, Gregory Sillence and his stepchildren, Dustin (Meaghan O’Connell) Kurtz, Cory Kurtz, Kellie Piper (Tom Lederer) Kurtz. Also his grandchildren; Lainey, William and Finley Sillence, Oliver and Stella Belanger, Henry and Sam Kurtz, Amaya Bowden and Frances Pear Lederer Kurtz. He is also survived by his brother Donald Sillence, his mother-in-law Joyce Johnson, his sistersin- law Cyndi (Steve) Hernandez, extended family and friends and his rescue dogs Freda (his shadow) and Albert.
A small family celebration is being organized for later this summer. Burial will be in Leelanau County Cemetery in Northport, Michigan.
Please share thoughts & memories with his family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Leelanau.
