David Semple

David “Davey” Semple was a man who understood that some of life’s best moments required nothing more than a fishing pole, a radio tuned to the Phillies, and the patience to wait for a bite. A self-employed plumber by trade and a traveler by heart, Davey passed away recently at the age of 71, leaving behind a legacy of hard work, quiet resilience, and a collection of fishing stories that his family knew by heart.

Born in Palmyra and raised in Pennsauken (Class of ’74), Davey was a fixture of the community before his curiosity took him west. He spent years traversing the country—California, Alabama, and Colorado—before the pull of home brought him back to South Jersey. He spent the last decade in Oaklyn, living a life that was as unpretentious as it was authentic.

For Davey, plumbing was a living, but fishing was a life. Whether he was surf fishing for hours or sitting quietly by a freshwater lake, he was a "diehard" in the truest sense. He didn't need a crowd; he just needed the water. When he was inland, he was most likely listening to the Phillies on the radio—a "real baseball guy" who preferred to picture the game in his mind rather than yell at a screen. Of course, if the Phils weren’t playing he’d be blasting classic rock.

He was strong, fun loving, kind of a party animal and perpetually young at heart. Serious when he had to be, those around him knew his expectations. To his daughter Megan, he was the dad who would sit through hours of cartoons—from the classics to Family Guy— spend hours chasing her around playgrounds, play catch, ride bikes, give lessons on fishing, and engage in her just about any game or toy her heart desired. He was a man of simple tastes: he never cooked, he loved classic rock (especially The Who), and he possessed a dry, understated wit that could diffuse any room.

Davey was one of six siblings, a tight-knit crew that called him "Davey" until the end. He is survived by his daughter, Megan (Ben McGinness); his brothers Edward (Grace), Thomas (Norma), Jeff (Jen), and Larry; and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, and cousins. He joins his sister, Lorraine Getz, and his parents, Joseph and Geraldine Semple, in rest.

Come celebrate Davey’s life August 28th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Mark Tilghman Funeral Home, 38 North Forklanding Road, Maple Shade where there will be a 7:00 p.m. service. The family encourages you to bring your best stories to share—and perhaps a fishing rod or two to lean against the wall.