David was born November 18, 1948 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Nellie Bresler joining sisters Cecilia and Pearl. He passed away April 7, 2021 in Eureka after a brief illness.

When David was two, his father Bill joined the family and then the family was completed by the birth of his only brother Edward.

David grew up going by David Sanford while attending Laffayette and Eureka High School. It was in his teen years when he went to using his legal last name of Galbraith. He was briefly in the Navy after which time his second wife Barbara made him a father with the birth of his daughter Angie.

David’s life changed forever when he went to lunch at Humboldt Coffee Shop and met the love of his life Petie. On April 16, 1988 they were married and David become a step-father to Melissa and adopted Petie’s son Kevin.

In 1992 David, Petie and Kevin moved to Alaska, with David driving up the Al Can towing their travel trailer with Kevin. In Alaska David enjoyed fishing for halibut and salmon. Angie soon joined them in Alaska. It was then that they really formed a strong bond. It was the impending birth of his first grandchild, Chase that inspired David to get his GED at age 48. He also embraced his sobriety at this time and was immensely proud of doing so.

In Alaska David went to school and obtained his commercial truck driving license. He went to work driving long haul from Alaska to Seattle. After a few years he convinced Petie to get her license as well and they drove together for many years.

After his daughter Angie and her family moved to Oregon, David and Petie followed. After a few years they returned to Ferndale, and moved into the house they first lived in together.

A life long fisherman and avid hunter. He has many photos of his adventures in the outdoors. He especially enjoyed hunting and fishing at Ruth Lake. He even spent time as a campground host. He also would go ocean fishing with his friend Charlie Collum or his nephew Gary Gilbert Jr., and even once with his brother-in-law George, who only fished with David. He also took his nephew Allen Preslar Jr fishing once, as Allen brought the bad luck to that trip in the form of a banana.

David is preceded in death by his parents, Wilson “Bill” and Nellie Sanford; his sister Cecelia Chism; his father-in-law Allen “Timer” Paine; his brother-in-law Pat Walter and great-nephew Christopher Gilbert. He is also preceded in death by his beloved dogs Gizmo and Spuds.

David is survived by his loving wife Patricia “Petie” Galbraith; his daughter Evangela “Angie” Hopkins and partner Jeff McKenzie; his son Kevin Galbraith; his step-daughter Melissa Shepherd and husband Dave; his grandchildren, Chase Hopkins, Haylee Hopkins, Brittani Shepherd, Jasen Shepherd, Madison Hopkins, Denali Hopkins and Aliese Galbraith; his great-grandchildren Riven Hopkins, Brooklyn Hopkins and Adalyn Shepherd; his mother-in-law Evelyn Paine; sister Pearl Walter; brother Edward Sanford and wife Tracey; sister-in-law Linda Brito and husband George; brother-in-law David Paine and wife Joanne. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his faithful dog Buddy.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 3 p.m. at Ferndale Community Church, 712 Main Street, Ferndale. A reception to follow.

The family would like to thank the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department for their assistance during with his illness; his nephew Gary Gilbert Jr. for helping take care of David, for Stephanie for assisting with putting together the memorial service, and the community of Ferndale for the outpouring of prayers and support during his illness and now.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of David Galbraith’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.