David was a friend of mine. I am a Boston transplant living in SC and a lifelong Pats fan (almost 50 yrs old). I only know David (or knew him ... I can't believe it) because I saw him across a local Lowe's and approached him to thank him for the joy he brought us all during the first dynasty. It turned out we were near neighbors. He was so gracious and generous that he invited me over to check out his Super Bowl rings. Over the years since, I got to know him and his family well, and I want you all to know that you were rooting back then for one of the kindest, most caring people I have ever known. My heart his broken for his family. They were so close. If you pray, pray for his wife of many years and his four children -- David was a devout Christian and it would have made him happy. (And if you're not religious or belong to another faith he wouldn't judge you ... he just wasn't like that.) The world is a worse place today than it was yesterday.Man this sucks. I got to meet David as we are both alums of Western Carolina University. He came back to campus after winning the SB in '01 and I was a freshman. He was the nicest guy you ever want to meet. Kind, courteous, and willing to answer any questions.