March 25, 2015
In Memoriam
David Bird, 1958-2015
David C. Bird, who went missing on January 11, 2014, after going for a walk near his home in Millington, NJ, was found dead on Wednesday, March 18, 2015.
David, 55 years old when he vanished, was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones for more than 20 years. He is a former reporter for the Fort Myers News-Press, The Times of Trenton, the Lawrence Ledger, AP/Dow Jones, McGraw Hill News, and Knight-Ridder.
A 1980 journalism graduate from Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ, David graduated Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville in 1976. He attended elementary school at Our Lady of Sorrows School in Hamilton Township, Mercer County, NJ, where he grew up.
In 1989, David met his future wife, Nancy Fleming, while they were both working in New York City. They soon found they had much in common — both were the youngest of six children in large Irish-American families, loved traveling and shared an irreverent sense of humor. They were married in 1991 and welcomed their son Alex in 1998 and daughter Tasha in 2001.
David adored his wife and their two children. He especially cherished the last 10 years of his life, made possible by a liver transplant from an anonymous donor in 2004. After David's transplant, the Birds became advocates for organ and tissue donations, and David became an avid walker, runner, cyclist and hiker, as well as an adult leader of Long Hill Township's Boy Scout Troop 56. In 2012, he completed the Harrisburg Marathon and in 2013, the New York City Marathon. His active lifestyle, optimism and sheer zest for living inspired countless transplant recipients, proving they could live productive, happy, healthy lives following surgery.
David enjoyed listening to a variety of musical genres, rooting for the Boston Red Sox, and traveling throughout the world. Most of all, he enjoyed time with his family and watching his children's lives unfold.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Walter T., Sr., and Anna (nee McLernon) and two brothers, Walter T. "Wally," Jr., and Joseph. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Nancy Fleming Bird; and their children, Alexander and Natasha; his sisters, Maryann of London and Kathleen of Hackettstown, NJ; his brother Dennis (Sheila) of Boston; his brother- in-law and four sisters-in-law, Thomas (Beverly) Fleming of Wausau, WI; Chris Fleming (James Wiggins) of New York City; Patty (Gerry) Lyng of McCleary, WA; Mary Lou (Jim) Kauffman of Etters, PA; Kathleen (Larry) Kreider of Marco Island, FL; and his mother-in-law, Virginia Fleming of New Cumberland, PA. He is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
All are invited to celebrate David's remarkable life with his loved ones. Visitation hours will be from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, at the Church of St. Vincent de Paul, 249 Bebout Avenue, Stirling, NJ, 07980. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Rev. Richard Carton on Thursday, March 26, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., also at St. Vincent de Paul Church.
Internment will be private.
Arrangements are under the direction of Valley Memorial Funeral Home of Gillette, NJ. For more information and on-line condolences, please visit www.valleymemorialfuneralhome.net.
Contributions in David's memory may be made to:
The Bird Family Trust
P.O. Box 234
Millington, NJ 07946