David Whitney Bailey

Those fortunate enough to know him will recall his love of three things: his wife and family, sailing, and providing medical care for children. They also will remember a man of keen and deep intelligence, a man of integrity, commitment and kindness – all in the persona of a tall, lanky “Bostonian” with a disarming smile and a great laugh.

His medical career began in the mid 1950s, after his graduation from Bowdoin College (and his decision to choose Bowdoin over a full-ride to Harvard). He received his medical training at McGill University in Montreal, where he met his bride-to-be, Shirley MacLean, who was completing her nursing studies. The two then moved to Boston for his pediatric internship at Mass General and the beginning of the fulfillment of his duties with the US Navy, including a year at sea.

His next tour of duty was, in many ways, the stuff of dreams: a three-year posting at the Naval station hospital in Naples, Italy, which led to a lifetime love of all things Italian for the entire family. His next posting was in Philadelphia and, after receiving additional training in Pediatric Neurology, he spent the next 11 years at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, where he became the Chairman of Pediatrics, overseeing the training of medical residents as well as providing patient care.

Retiring from the Navy with the rank of Captain in 1978, he continued his dual missions of training pediatric residents and patient care. Relocating to the Detroit area, he became the Associate Chief of Pediatrics at Wayne State University School of Medicine as well as the director of the Detroit Institute for Children. Moving to Jacksonville in 1984, he was involved with both education and patient care at the University of Florida School of Medicine, Shands Hospital, Jacksonville Wolfson Children’s Hospital, Children’s Medical Services, where he was the Program Supervisor and Medical Director and as the Developmental Pediatrician at the Early Intervention Program. His commitment to working to help children with developmental issues continued long after normal “retirement” age.

While, to some, his distinguished medical career defined him, being “under sail,” whether racing or just cruising around, may be how he is most often pictured. The wind in his hair, the tiller, wheel or lines in hand, the joy on his face. Unless, of course, it was a race, in which case the look was pure determination, and he had the trophies, flags and good times to prove it. The stories and memories were equally entertaining, whether it was a close call with a whale in the Grenadines, outracing a storm in the Virgin Islands or an amazing finish across the line. His boat berthed across the street; he was still sailing the St. Johns River in his late 80s.

Born in Washington, DC, his real home was at Baileywick -- family property on the banks of the North River in Norwell, MA. There, he grew up alongside his grandfather, parents, sister, uncles, aunt and cousins, forging bonds that even today tie the generations together. It is only fitting that it will be his final resting place as well, with a private family gathering to be held in June.

Dave will be forever missed by his wife of 68 years, Shirley MacLean Bailey (Atlantic Beach, FL), his son Christopher and his wife Sandee (Richmond, VA), his granddaughter Caitlin Bailey Feller, her husband Michael and Dave’s great-granddaughter Ayla (Morrison, CO) his daughter Susan Bailey and her husband Terry Tannam (Neptune Beach, FL), his son Colin Bailey (Jacksonville, FL), as well as by his nieces, nephew and their extended families who shared decades of special times together with him.