David W. Manson

YARMOUTH – David W. Manson, 88, of Yarmouth and Bethel, Maine and Melbourne Beach, Fla., died peacefully on Nov. 18, 2025.

Born in Providence, R.I. on July 5, 1937, David was the oldest son of Donald and Helen Manson. He attended schools in Warwick, R.I. and graduated from Veterans Memorial High School in 1956. He graduated from Brown University in 1960 and received his master’s degree in Guidance and Counseling from Boston University.

After completing his education in the early ’60s, David entered the world of private school, teaching and counseling first at Worchester Academy in Worchester, Mass, then at North Yarmouth Academy in Yarmouth, Maine. Following a teaching sabbatical in Germany, he returned to Maine and enjoyed three years as the Director of Guidance at Mt. Ararat School in Topsham.

Shortly after graduating from Brown, David met Ellen Klev and on Nov. 22, 1963, and they married in Wellsley, Mass. Together, they lost an infant daughter, then raised two children, Lynne and David Jr., with whom they enjoyed many lasting memories.

While they were living overseas and visiting Ellen’s Norwegian hometown, they rediscovered their fondness for down comforters and decided to return home and introduce them to the U.S. market. David and Ellen sold Cuddledown in the late ’80s and refocused their energy on real estate, travel and the snowbird lifestyle.

David was predeceased by his father, mother; and his infant daughter, Kristen.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen K. Manson; his daughter, Lynne Gawtry (Michael), and son, David Manson Jr.; his two grandchildren, Jack and Wyatt Gawtry; his siblings Stephen Manson (Pam), Winnie Johannis, Paul Manson (Darlene); and his many nieces and nephews.

An informal gathering to mingle with family and friends will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Dec. 9 at Gather restaurant, 189 Main St. in Yarmouth.

To view David’s full obituary and memorial page, please visit http://www.lindquistfuneralhome.com.