David C. Judd, affectionately known as “Chief Nine Toes” and “Papa Bear” passed away on June 30, 2025, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. His wife, soulmate, and the love of his life of 40 years, Elaine, as always, was by his side. David was born in Burlington, Vermont on October 23, 1963, the youngest child of five to Charles Dane Judd and Jane Chapin Hand. The family moved to Springfield, Massachusetts when David was two. There he made many wonderful lifelong friends, and he discovered his passion for cars, especially Mopar. David was everyone’s mechanic.

David spent his summers, from the time he was born, until right before he died, with family and friends at the lake house in Canada. It was his heaven on earth. In 1984, he met his forever love, Elaine, by accident, and six months later they were married on Prom night. They blinked and it was ten years later, they had three children, and he moved his family “home” to Westminster, Vermont. There he started an auto repair business and added one more child, and many more wonderful friends to his family.

David was the life of the party. He was known for his unmatched sense of humor even in the worst of times. He was hardworking, loving, caring, and generous to others without hesitation. Whether there was shared DNA or not, his family meant everything to him, and he would do anything for them.

David is survived by his wife, Elaine; his four children, Crystal (Cheyenne), Steven (Kayla), Richard (Sophie), and Logan; and his adopted children Stephen and Paige; “red-headed stepchild”, Eric; his brothers, Kurt (Sherry), and Peter (Myra); his sister, Lori (Brian); brother-in-law, Richard (Crystal); sister-in-law, Theresa; eight grandchildren: Layla, Dominic, Xander, Joshua, Kyle, Sarah, Olyvia and Madyson; many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews; and his ever faithful companion Marley, the Golden Retriever (aka Shmoo). He is predeceased by his parents, Charles and Jane, and by his sisters, Stephanie and Kristen.

A Celebration of Life is being planned for August 23 at the Polish Picnic Ground, Darby Hill Road in Rockingham, Vermont.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Kidney Foundation and American Heart Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Fenton and Hennessey Funeral Home, 55 Westminster Street, Bellows Falls, VT.