VOORHEESVILLE — David “Dave” S. Symula, a revered math teacher who loved music, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, after a long illness.

“Dave was born on June 18, 1939 in Union Springs, New York, the son of the late Stanley and Elizabeth Symula,” his family wrote in a tribute. “He was the brother of James F. Symula and Cheryl (née Symula) Gresock.

“He studied at Cornell University and at the State University of New York at Albany. At SUNY, he was a member of the Sigma Lambda Sigma Fraternity. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics at SUNY Albany.

“Family and friends were always Dave’s priorities. He was married to his wife, Rosemarie, for 60 years. He was actively involved with his children’s youth activities, serving as the president and vice president of Guilderland and New Scotland Pop Warner, respectively, and happily traveled to visit his children as they moved throughout the country.

“He welcomed an exchange student, Ekaterina (Kate) Chernoknizhnaya, from Russia into his family in 1990 and maintained a relationship with her throughout his life. He always encouraged adding long-time friends to his family providing his kids with a variety of local aunts and uncles.

“Dave was a revered and respected math teacher at Bethlehem Central High School from 1962 to 2000. He was frequently recognized by students as the educator who made a difference in their lives and by whom they felt inspired through the Scholars’ Recognition Program Achievement Award and through Who’s Who Among American Teachers.

“Music was one of his most beloved hobbies. He was a horn player in two Drum Corps, the Interstatesmen and the Apple Knockers. He sang with the Capitol Hill Choral Society and opened the 1966 season of Saratoga Performing Arts Center alongside the Philadelphia Orchestra at the opening of SPAC in 1966. In his later years, he sang with the Mendelssohn Club of Albany in which he performed in numerous events including a performance at the Mormon Tabernacle. 

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David S. Symula is survived by his wife, Rosemarie Symula; his sons, David and his wife, Lisa Chainyk, and their children John and Philip Chainyk, and Andrew and his wife, Jody, and their son, Nickolas; and his daughter, Rebecca Symula and Ryan Garrick.

He is also survived by his sister, Cheryl (née Symula) Gresock; his nephews, Doug and Alan Gresock; and his nieces Laurie (née Symula) Parmely and Lisa (née Symula) Langton  of Detroit, Michigan.

His brother, James and his wife, Angela, and his nephew, Jamie, died before him.

Calling hours will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home in Voorheesville on April 10 and a Mass will be said at St. Matthew’s Church at 25 Mountainview St. in Voorheesville at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 11. Flowers can be sent to the funeral home for the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Michael J. Fox Foundation, Post Office Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741.