David C. Moore of Audubon, NJ, a natural leader of social workers, avid birdwatcher and beloved husband and father, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, in Voorhees, NJ, due to complications from lung cancer. He was 67.
Dave, nicknamed “the Guru” by his colleagues, worked many years at both the Children’s Home and Family Services of Burlington County. He had a natural gift for relating to children who most other institutions believed to be beyond help. He was also a respected mentor to generations of other social workers, all of whom have stories of Dave’s strong, sometimes unorthodox leadership. He was an uplifting presence in the lives of thousands across South Jersey and treated everyone with kindness and gentle strength and without judgment.
Dave loved birdwatching and drew everyone around him into it. He traveled all over the world in search of rare birds in Africa, South America, Europe, and of course all over North America. He planned elaborate vacations and included friends and family on his globetrotting adventures, but he especially loved to go to “the Brig” (the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge) and find new, exciting birds where freshwater met saltwater.
At home, he loved watching wrestling (not “wrasslin” he would be quick to point out) and football with his needy but loving cat, Lucy, in his lap.
In 1985, Dave met Susan Spagat, the love of his life and his wife of 35 years. The first time he saw Sue, a music therapist on her first day at the Children’s Home, she was getting out of her car. He turned to his boss and asked who she was, then called his shot: “I’m gonna marry that girl,” he said. They’d be together for the rest of his life, deeply in love and partners in all things.
He is also survived by his son, Dan. Over the course of Sixers games, dinners at Howard’s, and more than a few tearful heart-to-hearts when the going got tough, Dave forged a loving bond with Dan that only grew over time. He was the type of father you wish everyone could have but, selfishly, are glad he’s all yours. Love does not even begin to describe what Dave felt for his family.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Dave’s viewing on Sunday, January 8, 2:00 to 5:00 PM at the FOSTER-WARNE FUNERAL HOME, 250 S. White Horse Pike, Audubon, NJ 08106. Interment private.
Donations may be made in Dave’s memory to friendsofforsythe.org or mailed to Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife, 723 Great Creek Rd., Galloway, NJ 08205.
