David Birkic

Old Lyme — David George Birkic, 77, passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford. He was a longtime Greenwich resident who recently retired to Old Lyme.

David was born to Mary and George Birkic in Cleveland, Ohio, on Aug. 28,1940. He played the trumpet and football, sang in the chorus at Euclid High and worked on his father’s construction sites. He graduated from Ohio State University where he majored in journalism. He came to New York to work in advertising and particularly enjoyed his time at Babcock & Wilcox handling business-to-business accounts. In the ’80s he left advertising to become publisher of Profiles and Business Digest magazines in Greenwich and wrapped up his working life with a successful stint in Greenwich residential real estate.

Music filled his life from his childhood on, singing in church choirs, Greenwich Choral Society for 25 years, the Off-Sounders (the acapella double octet) for nearly as long, performing under Phil McKnight’s direction in many Gilbert & Sullivan productions in Greenwich, and singing with the Westchester Opera. He designed and produced the Greenwich Choral Society’s elaborate performance programs for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Tina; daughter, Jennifer Allinson; and grandson, Caden Allinson of Westfield, Ind.; stepchildren, Geoffrey Marshall (and Michelle) of Needham, Mass. and Leslie Cooper (and Joe) of Duxbury, Mass.; and seven grandchildren whose growing up he thoroughly enjoyed. They will all miss his good conversation and wacky humor.

The celebration of his life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 10, at the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, 2 Ferry Road, Old Lyme.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of Dave’s longtime causes, The Greenwich Choral Society Scholarship Fund, 299 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830.