10/19/2025
On Oct 15th my family and employees geared up for another grueling long closing day of the park. Little did we expect that on the final walk thru of officially closing the park down for the 2025 season that we would receive the news of the passing of one of our most dearing and loved family of the park David Tavernia . I was at the end of Walter's Mountain and just sat in the middle of the road and cried. Most know that Dave and Sharon are the longest running seasonals in the park, Sharon stemming back to the day my grandmother opened the park.
This family has been a huge part of our lives, personally like another father and mother to me. Their boys and the rest of us grew up under their eyes. They watched us running through the park playing chase, dancing as kids arms lengths apart at our bands, beating eachother up on the basketball court.
All while we watched them showing us what true love was in their relationship. The countless hours and Christmas weekends of the park. Where Sharon's wishes were Dave's never ending commitment to making it just right for her. Even when we heard every year " Im not doing this again, I hate this, damn lights on the roof!! " We all just smirked on the inside knowing that he loved doing it for her. Their never ending banter that was everyone's comic relief even on our worst days. He loved to update me on his grand boys every moment he could. You could never see a prouder father than him speaking about Chad's bike accomplishments.
Yes we knew he "hated" loved... Horseshoes, Camping, Cards, Christmas Lights... and they will never be the same now that he has passed. You will always be a cornerstone to this campground and for all great friends and family that you gained here. Everyone is hurting over this, but Dave we will promise you that we will help Cory and Chad and hold Sharon through this.
His soul said it was time to stop hurting on the day that campers always hurt the most every summer. Oct 15 closing day and saying goodbye to all. This was Dave's last goodbye to all of his camping friends and family that he has and has had over the multiple decades at Pine Ridge Park. We will all miss you and may you say hi to all our friends that are there already waiting for us. R.I.P