David R. Ploof

David Ploof, 68, of Gabriels, New York, passed away, leaving behind a lifetime of memories, stories, and a family who will carry his memory with them forever.

David was a lifelong hunter and outdoorsman, and some of his greatest moments came from being in the woods with family. The early mornings, long days, campfires, stories, laughs, and quiet moments will forever be a part of the memories he leaves behind. Those who knew him best know that the memories made in the woods were never really about the hunt—they were about the time together.

Above all, David was a father and grandfather. He is survived by his children, Jillian and Logan Ploof; his grandchildren, Otto and Emma; his brothers, Billy, Neil, Bobby, and Mike; his sister, Sheryl; and many other family members and loved ones.

There will be empty seats at the table, quiet mornings that feel different, and days in the woods when his absence will be impossible to ignore. There will be stories that bring laughter and others that bring tears. There will be moments when we reach for the phone to call him, only to remember that we can’t.

The lessons he taught. The things he built. The stories he told. The laughter he shared. The traditions he passed down. The time spent together in the woods. The moments that seemed ordinary at the time but will now mean everything.

His family will carry him with them—in every sunrise and sunset over Sunset Ponds, every walk through the woods, every hunting season, every piece of craftsmanship, and every story told about the man they loved.

In the woods. In the memories. In the stories. And in the hearts of his family.