David G Gobeille

CUMBERLAND, RI – David G. Gobeille, 71, of Cumberland, Rhode Island, died on the evening of Thursday, January 21, 2021, after a bravely-fought battle with lung cancer.  He was the loving husband of Gail (Phillips) Gobeille, also of Cumberland.  

Born and raised in the Fairmount neighborhood of Woonsocket, Dave was the son of the late Walter Gobeille and Lucille (Imbeault) Gobeille of Torrance, California.  He was a passionate musician from the time he was a boy, playing bass and guitar in a number of area rock bands from the 1960s through the 1980s.  Indeed, throughout his life he would regale his family with wild stories from his days playing gigs around Rhode Island, and many of his old friends describe being inspired and encouraged by Dave to become musicians themselves.  After graduating from Woonsocket High School while working after school full-time on second shift at Quincy Dye Works, Dave married the pretty girl he met at band rehearsal when he was 15 years old, and he and Gail were very much in love throughout the rest of his life.

When he wasn’t taking the stage at area clubs with Gail watching from the audience, Dave worked in quality control at S.A.B. Knife before becoming a Master Plumber and Pipefitter licensed in Rhode Island and Massachusetts and working for Turcotte Plumbing and Heating.  He was then employed for fifteen years by Bonanza Bus Lines before his retirement.

Dave was a phenomenal father to his only child, Beth Foley and husband Darren of Grafton, Massachusetts.  A well-read man himself, Dave valued education and worked a string of physically demanding jobs in order to send Beth to the best schools, and it was through his sacrifice and warm encouragement that she achieved her dreams.  In addition to his daughter and son-in-law, Dave will be forever missed by his beloved grandchildren, Evan and Mila Foley of Grafton, Massachusetts.  He is also warmly remembered by his brothers, Denis and wife Leann of Torrance, California; and Donald and wife Linda of Northbridge, Massachusetts; by his brothers- and sisters-in-law, Wendy and Steven Fernandes of Woonsocket, Rhode Island; Linda and James LaFleur of West Greenwich, Rhode Island; and Peter Phillips of Woonsocket, Rhode Island; and by his many nieces and nephews.  Dave is also missed by his loyal dog, Rudy, with whom he loved wiling away the days of his retirement.

Burial arrangements will be announced at a later date in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Arrangements entrusted to Keene-Brown Funeral Home North Smithfield.

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