Mr. David "Chopper Dave" Kissock 69 of Keystone Heights

July 25, 1952 - March 16, 2022

William David Kissock, “Chopper Dave”, 69, passed away on March 16, 2022, at his cottage in Keystone Heights, Florida with his beloved dog, Otto, at his side. Dave was born in Ithaca, New York on June 25, 1952, to William George and Velma Carpenter Kissock. Dave was a 1970 graduate of Ithaca High School. He also attended Tompkins Cortland Community College and Florida Keys Community College. Dave was a man of many talents. His initial employment was in the family business, National Auto Weld, Inc. where he worked his way up to general manager. He went on to a career in wood working antique speed boats, a career which he found very rewarding, He excelled at repair, refinishing and restoration at The Boat Shop in Trumansburg and the Brewerton Boat Yard, Inc. Dave moved to Florida in the early 1990’s where he was an award-winning salesperson and finance manager for Higginbotham Chevrolet in New Smyrna Beach. Dave worked many years as the lead sales manager at Arlen Ness Custom Motorcycles in Daytona Beach, Florida. Dave was a man of many loves. He took to drums as a young teenager, playing endlessly on his blue drum set and jamming with other bands. He became a fan of greats like Charlie Watts. He was a member of the orchestra and concert band in Junior High School. He loved music, be it soul, rhythm and blues, old funk, and Motown among others. He was proud that he attended 11 Rolling Stones concerts, and far too many others to count. As a teenager he spent two summers at the Adirondack Woodcraft Camp (AWC) where he perfected his canoeing skills. He went on to race in white water rapids and won the third-place trophy in the Moose River race in the mid-1980’s. At AWC he grew to love the outdoors and he treasured his days in the Adirondacks including Lake George returning many times. In his high school years, he attended Manlius Military School. He was on the fencing and rifle teams and earned his Red Cross junior and senior life savings certificates. He developed a love of scuba diving. As a little boy, he loved Zorro and wrote the name Zorro Kissock on his school papers. He was an avid ice skater and enjoyed open skating at Cornell’s Lynah Rink every weekend. He loved his little sister combing his hair in her bedroom. As an adult, he became an expert at cooking meats especially turkey and prime rib. Dave loved motorcycles, especially Indian. He also loved cars, especially Corvettes. He knew a great deal about many classes of cars. His biggest love in his life was his dog, Otto, a 132.5-pound Rottweiler. They were great buddies. He had 6 Rottweilers throughout the course of his life. He had a wonderful way with dogs. Otto loved the way Dave held his face and looked at him calling him a “treat hound”. Dave is survived by his beloved sister Wendy DiAnn Smith of Columbia, MD. Friends of Dave may contact Wendy at [email protected] For those wishing to donate in Dave’s memory, please support your local ASPCA or large dog rescue.