David Wesley Hoag, retired Navy officer
Commander David Wesley Hoag, USN (Ret.), 87, of Lewes, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024, at home, surrounded by two of the loves of his life, his wife of 58 years, Phyllis; and his beloved feline, Lily.
Dave was born May 9, 1937, in Hackensack, N.J., to Mary Elise (Mergler) Hoag and David Wesley Hoag Sr. He graduated from Bogota High School in Bogota, N.J., in 1955, and earned his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, W.Va., in 1960.
After college, Dave joined the U.S. Navy, where he served for 28 years as a surface warfare officer until his retirement in 1988. While in the Navy, Dave traversed the seas, exploring the world and enjoying the best locations the Navy had to offer, including being stationed in Long Beach, Calif., Charleston, S.C., Newport, R.I., and others, in addition to the D.C. area, where he put down long-term roots in Alexandria, Va.
Dave served with the Maywood, N.J., Fire Department, following his father who was a volunteer fire department captain. Dave was a Master Mason and a member of Wycoff Masonic Lodge in Ramsey, N.J.
After he retired from the Navy, Dave stayed busy in plumbing sales. Over time, he found ways to work less and boat more. Dave and Phyllis were introduced to Lewes in 1975, and soon after, purchased a home on the beach. They moved to Lewes permanently in 2006. Dave was a good sport, sharing his talents and time with wonderful boat rides and storytelling about the Cape Region. He was an active member of the Lewes Yacht Club Marina Committee and looked forward to his weekly Wednesday “ROMEO” lunches. In addition, Dave contributed his talents as the much-lauded “noodle man” for the biannual Lewes Yacht Club lasagna dinner.
Dave was the original MacGyver; he never bought anything he could build or fix himself. In addition to his love of boating, fishing, building things, and general puttering, he was a fantastic cook, with favorites learned from his mother, who wisely taught him to cook and preserve, skills that served him well throughout his life.
Dave could always be counted on to help friends and family. And random wildlife - think turtles crossing the road. But **not** groundhogs, with whom he had an ongoing feud over access to his garden. Things did not end well for the groundhogs.
In his retirement, Dave grew an extensive garden, annually providing weeding, picking, and canning opportunities for family members and friends. Always the gentleman, he grew flowers to bring to Phyllis. He leaves family and friends with highly coveted mustard pickles, bread and butter pickles, and canned tomatoes.
Remaining to cherish Dave are his wife, Phyllis; daughter, Elizabeth Hoag and granddaughter Elise; daughter, Jennifer Gonzalez (Raymond) and grandson Brodin; sister, Peggy Jensen (Ole); sister-in-law, Darcy Hopko; nephew, Jonathan Hopko (Amanda); nieces, Joanne Hardy, Mary-Lynne Lackner and Leigh Zwanka; and great-nieces and -nephews, in addition to lifelong, college, Navy and recent friends.
Preceding Dave in death are his parents, Wes and Mary; cherished family and friends; and his beloved felines, Mr. Coal and Pammy.
A celebration of life will be held at noon, Saturday, Nov. 16, at American Legion Post 17, Lewes. Burial will be through the Navy’s Burial At Sea program.
In lieu of flowers, consider memorial donations in Dave’s name to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, 875 N. Randolph St., Ste. 225, Arlington, VA 22203. Dave would appreciate leaving a legacy supporting sailors, Marines, and their families.
