David “Dave” Anthony Boyajian, 54, of Erie, passed to calmer shores on November 8, 2007 following a long illness with Hepatitis C and liver failure. His children were with him as he crossed to a better place. Dave entered this world on March 3, 1953, a son of the late Thomas Borkowski and Lillian Guth Borkowski Boyajian. When Dave was a young toddler, his father passed away. His mother later married the late William Boyajian, Sr., who adopted him, loved him and was David’s Dad all his life. Dave attended St. Patrick’s Grade School, Gridley Junior High School and Strong Vincent High School.

He loved swimming and won many medals in swimming events at the old Boy’s Club on East 7th Street. Dave was a Veteran of the United States Navy serving from 1972-1974. He served one tour of duty in Vietnam while deployed on the USS Lawrence. Over the years Dave had been employed by Marx Toys, GE, Flex-Y-Plan and various temporary agencies until becoming disabled by liver failure.

Dave leaves behind a great legacy to his three children, four grandchildren and a stepson. They are son, Erie J. (Dawn) Boyajian, daughters, Tina M. Gannon, Emily A. Boyajian, stepson Tobias M. (Toby) Hilbert and grandchildren Joshua S. Anderson, Mary E. Boyajian, Jonathan R. Gannon, and Amy L. Gannon, all of Erie. Dave will be greatly missed by his four brothers, Tom of Kentucky, Bill of Waterford, Mark of Erie, and Albert of Cincinnati, whom Dave was especially close to all his life.

He also has many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins who survive him, along with his ex-wife and mother of his children Ellen Metzger Gigogne and his stepmother, Helen Boyajian. Dave made a great many friends in his short life, some of whom were very special to him: Greg Johnston, who took care of him in various stages of his illness, Rita and her brother Bob Omniewski and Ken and Julie Dingus and their family.

At Dave’s request the services will be private. He wanted all who knew him to remember the good times when he was walking, talking, laughing, listening to music, fishing and just having fun together.

Condolences, cards, or donations may be made to the family c/o the Burton Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 602 West 10th Street, Erie, PA 16502