David Ernest Clinton, 82 
David Ernest Clinton, of Kingston, died Dec. 28 at the age of 82. 
Dave lived a life of service to the boating public foremost and to his home community of Conifer Green. He was a fiercely proud member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for more than 49 years with the Point Allerton Flotilla, 1203, of the First Coast Guard Northern District. He held numerous elected positions at the flotilla, division, and district level. 
Dave had a strong passion for operations and communication and held leadership positions in each at the district level over his USCG Auxiliary tenure. He also spent countless hours in the classroom, teaching boating safety and navigation skills to the boating public. He has mentored, taught, and recruited so many auxiliarists over the years, making then better boaters and shipmates.  
Dave was also passionate about his Braintree Yacht Club as one of the oldest standing members and past commodore. Following that term, he held leadership positions with the Massachusetts Bay Yacht Club Association as its commodore and Executive Board member. 
Closer to home, Dave was a member of the Conifer Green homeowners’ association, most recently serving as vice president. He loved his community and worked hard for its betterment on behalf of all the residents. He worked hard his entire life at many positions, including time as assistant harbormaster for Hull and harbormaster for the town of Kingston before his retirement. 
Dave was the beloved husband of the late Nancy G. (Dickson) Clinton and loving father of John Clinton and his wife, Karen, of Amherst, N.H.; James R. Clinton III, of Rockland; and David K. Clinton and his wife, Lindsay, of Hull. He was the brother of D. Kenneth Clinton, of Arizona, and the Rev. Katrina Clinton, of Attleboro, and the late Dennis Clinton. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews. 
Dave was a kind, gentle man who loved his family, especially during holiday gatherings and times they could spend on boating outings, showing them his playground of the Boston Harbor Islands. He lived the Coast Guard motto of “semper paratus.” He very much valued preparedness and was true to his eagerness to help and be ready to serve as called upon.
Funeral services were private. A private gathering is being planned for this summer with his yacht club and USCG Auxiliary shipmates. 
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Coast Guard Foundation, 394 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT 06378, www.coastguardfoundation.org.