David Rossi Kaplan, 86 of Ashtabula died Saturday (Oct. 8th) at the Country Club Retirement Campus in Ashtabula. He was born June 28, 1930 in Wilmington, NC the son of George and Anna Mae (Connor) Kaplan.

He served in United States Coast Guard from April 1948 to June 1968 aboard the Tamarac and the Mackinac Cutters in the Great Lakes. From 1965 until 1968 he was the USCG Chief Boatswain’s Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer in charge of the Ashtabula Coast Guard Station. Following retirement from the Coast Guard he served fifteen years with the Army Corp of Engineers.

He was a member of Hermitage Lodge #98 F&AM in Louisiana where he was a member for 56 years.. He was also a member of the American legion Post #103 in Ashtabula. He also really loved NHL Ice Hockey.

He donated his handmade marine knot board that he constructed while teaching his fellow sailors during his service as the Chief in Ashtabula. This piece may be viewed  at the Ashtabula Maritime and Surface Transportation Museum in Ashtabula.

Surviving him is his wife Beatrice Mary Kaplan whom he married January 22, 1949 in Cheboygan, Michigan; five children, Terry Lee (Jolyn) Kaplan of Ashtabula, Gary (Debra Blair) Michael Kaplan of Ashtabula, Edward Eugene (Pamela) Kaplan of Greenland, MI, David Dennis (Kathy) Kaplan of Ashtabula and Beth Ann (Victor) Vierra of Warren, Pa.; nine grandchildren, Gary Michael  Kaplan, Jr., Christopher Patrick Kaplan, John Jacob Kaplan, Sarah Tamar Fischer, Steffen Toy Fischer, Gregory Francis Kaplan, Michael Corey Kaplan, Jason Edward Kaplan and Josh Zachary Kaplan; three Great-Grandchildren, Kylie Kaplan, Christopher Kaplan and Gabryella Kaplan; a sister, Dorothy Applebaum of Cooperstown, Florida and a brother, Edward Kaplan of St. Lucie, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, George Gregory Kaplan and a sister, Bernice Shames.

Funeral services will be Friday (Oct. 14th) at 11:00 AM at the Ashtabula Home of Fleming & Billman Funeral Directors and Crematory, 526 W. Prospect Rd. Ashtabula with Deacon Richard Johnson                       Officiating. Burial will be in Saybrook Cemetery with American Legion Post #103 conducting military rites.

Calling hours will be Thursday from 6 to 8 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions can be made to the Ashtabula Marine Museum,  1071 Walnut Blvd, PO Box 1546, Ashtabula, Ohio 44005. Condolenses, light a candle and obituary at www.fleming-billman.com

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