David Moriah

On 4 June 2025, David Morrissey Moriah, 74, entered a new phase as he transitioned from this world to the next. He reached the other side of the stream, having spent a lifetime jumping across the stones with a lifelong sense of adventure. In his final days, he was at home in Ithaca, New York. The only thing he wasn't looking forward to was leaving all of us behind (at least for now).

He took immense pleasure and meaning in the relationships he had, and the deep sense of support and love he felt from family and friends. David is survived by his dearly beloved wife Deborah, his children Kira Moriah and husband Charlie, Shane Moriah and wife Katie, and his grandchildren, Caleb, Henry and Carson. He is also survived by his sister, Sue Moore and husband John.

There will be a short burial service on Tuesday, June 10th, at 1pm at the Greensprings Natural Cemetery Preserve in Newfield, NY. There will also be a "David Moriah Memorial Experience”, which will be held at a future to be determined date.

If you feel so inclined, donations can be sent in lieu of flowers to the Moriah Endowment, a scholarship fund at Cornell University about which David cared deeply. The fund is focused on expanding access to outdoor education and leadership experiences to all students regardless of ability to pay. Donation link: https://scl.cornell.edu/.../coe-50th.../moriah-endowment

A fitting phrase David was fond of in these last few weeks, that brings us some solace, was "Rest in Peace, Rise in Glory". And while we may have plenty of tears of sadness right now, we're also happy that it's finally his time to Rise.

David also wrote a final message, his Epilogue, which he asked that we share after his passing.

———

WOW!

What a great ride! I’ve walked the same streets of Nazareth where Jesus walked, visited the Great Wall of China, snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef, bicycled through Tuscany, wandered amidst Angkor Wat and the great temples of Cambodia and scrambled around the ruins of ancient churches and castles in Ireland with my grandsons.

I jumped out of airplanes in my 20s and again in my 60s. I rock climbed in Yosemite, paddled the wild rivers of North Carolina and Georgia, photographed the old cars of Havana and shaken hands with several U.S. Presidents.

I met Bobby Kennedy . . . twice! I walked past the flag draped casket of JFK in the Capitol rotunda. I cried for them both.

I followed my baseball passion to unforgettable moments and I’ve even worn a major league baseball uniform.

I was there when Maris hit #61, when Ripken played #2131, when the Miracle Mets won it all in 1969. I attended and reported on more than 30 years of Hall of Fame induction events. I interviewed and befriended some of baseball’s greatest players. My memorabilia collection provided rich memories and great joy.

I was an actor (okay, an extra!) in a Hollywood baseball movie (“Little Big League”).

But all those adventures pale in comparison to the incredible, undeserved gift which has been the kindness of so many friends and the love and faithfulness of my family.

Deborah stayed with me despite my profound lack of perfection and what she calls “my many schticks”. She has been my angel and the greatest blessing of my life.

I’m so grateful that we lived to celebrate 50 years together in marriage. It was tough at times (isn't any difficult climb to a mountaintop tough at times?) but we persevered and triumphed over all obstacles to see the view from the summit.

Daughter Kira made me proud in so many ways, and watching her become a patient and devoted mom herself was a joy. I treasured the time we spent together when I was a stay-at-home Dad during her preschool years, and I’ve treasured interacting with her as a “grown up”, her wisdom shining forth in our conversations.

Kira gave me another son by marrying Charlie. I’ve been blessed to know him and his passion to make the world a better, safer place. His devotion to Kira and their children is abundantly clear and a comfort to me every day.

And as if life and joy were not full enough, I’ve held the small hands of my grandsons Caleb and Henry. They entered my life on two unforgettable nights and stole my heart. They’re great kids and have introduced me to a kind of love I hadn’t known existed before becoming a grandfather.

My son Shane and I shared deep, special moments. I carry with me the memory of walking to the car in the moonlight after a Twins game holding the hand of my young son. My heart swelled with joy and gratitude.

I watched Shane play great soccer and baseball but I was never so proud of him as the day I witnessed a swarm of East Palo Alto kids he was tutoring climb all over him, laughing and celebrating a joyous, care-free moment! Those were some of the sweetest memories of my life.

And then Shane gave me another daughter in Katie; their Malibu mountaintop wedding is a memory I always held close to my heart. Katie endeared herself to us, especially as we watched her blossom into an astonishingly kind and competent mom to Carson, yet another bundle of joy in my life.

I’m grateful to have spent time and shared laughter with Carson at the end, knowing he learned to recognize me and call me by name (BaPop for the record).

One day in 1972 in a mountaintop chalet in Switzerland I surrendered to the certainty that God is real and loves us. At that moment a 2000 year-old Jewish carpenter came into my life, wanting me to know Him and walk with Him.

I’ve drifted in and out of faith since then, dismayed by the foolishness and even evil done by those in the church, but I always managed to keep connected to a tenacious Divine lifeline.

Once God got hold of me I guess He (She, Whoever) was determined never to let me go. Baruch attah Adonai!

I don’t know what the next adventure will be - streets paved with gold? a ballgame that never ends? an infinite supply of chips, XXX hot salsa and chilled, hoppy non-alcoholic beer?

No, I really don’t know exactly what it will like on the other side, but I die with the rock solid certainty of one great truth, which is all I need.

From the Christian scriptures - “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”

That promise is enough for me!

Hasta luego! See you on the other side.

David Moriah