David Windsor Elder
Rochester, NY – February 1, 2022 at the age of 90. Predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Diana M. Elder. Survived by his son Daniel (Alana) Elder.
Born in Irondequoit, NY to Windsor & Viola Elder on December 14, 1931.
Dave was an avid skier well into his 80s. He began skiing when he was young. Upon graduation from Irondequoit High School, he attended Paul Smith’s College where he was part of the ski team. He moved out West and was hired as ski patrol at Sun Valley, ID before he was drafted during the Korean War. He served in the Army, stationed in Germany, and was part of the Army ski team. Throughout his life he skied all over the world. Locally he loved Holiday Valley in Ellicottville, NY.
Dave owned two Irondequoit businesses. An electrician by trade, he worked in & took over his father’s business, Elder Electric. When he retired from the electrical business, he started Thomas Storage in 1990.
In his younger days he enjoyed sport car racing. He drove his Alfa Romeo at Put-in-Bay, OH and on the original road course at Watkins Glen. He also enjoyed rally racing with his wife Dee. He was a lifetime member of the SCCA.
Please send donations in his honor to Holiday Valley Ski Patrol, P.O. Box 370, Ellicottville, NY 14731. Services will be held privately.
Daniel,
My condolences to you and your family on the passing of your father. I was involved in rally-racing in the ’60s, and was a member of the Triumph Touring Club of Rochester. We competed against Dave and Dee at many of the local and regional club rallys for several years. They were fierce competitors, and if they showed up at a rally they were always a force to be reckoned with. However, after the rally was over, they were always fun to chat with, and talk about that day’s adventures.
Daniel, our condolences to you and your family. We knew Dave and Dee through the Rochester Ski Club. We loved visiting and laughing with them at many events. Bill and I loved skiing with Dave and Bob Pogel (another great guy) in Alyeska, Alaska and Stowe, Vermont. Dave was a beautiful skier. I know he loved skiing the same number of runs in one day as his age at Holiday Valley. Wonderful stories and memories!
He will be missed very much, as are Dee and Bob.
Most sincerely,
Bill and Bev McElheny
Dan and Alana, our family condolences to you both. Our family was so grateful to have Dave and Dee as skiing friends and many years together. Our entire family enjoyed the generosity of Dave and Dee sharing their Chalet with us for many years with many happy memories of skiing with our entire family. Tom enjoyed all the years hunting and snowmobiling with Dave always fun to be with and lots of laughs. We miss you Dave and always will be with us in our memories.
Alana and Dan, just read your dad’s obituary. What a magnificent and fulfilling life he had. Now it’s time to see his wonderful Dee again. Sending condolences on behalf of the Pelepko family. Ski on in his memory.