David Eugene Golliday, 62, of Supply, North Carolina, passed away on November 2, 2026, after a courageous year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. He faced his illness as he faced life—with strength, determination, hope, and an unwavering desire for more time with the people he loved most.
Born and raised in Lutherville, Maryland, David was the beloved son of the late Rose and George “Buddy” Golliday. But the story of David’s life is best told through the family he built, the people he loved, and the countless memories he leaves behind.
David shared an extraordinary love story with his wife, Nicole Marie Golliday, his high school sweetheart, best friend, and soulmate. Together for 46 years and married for 41, David and Nicole grew up together, built a life together, raised a family, weathered life’s challenges side by side, and shared a love and friendship that endured throughout his lifetime.
He was a loving and proud father to his daughter, Lauren Zaryk, and a loving father-in-law to Matthew Zaryk. One of David’s greatest joys was being “Poppy” to his four beautiful grandchildren, Emma Grace, Olivia Brooke, Wyatt Matthew, and Mia Rose. They were truly the light of his life. Nothing brought him greater happiness or pride than his family, and there was little he wouldn’t do for the people he loved.
David is also survived by his brother, George “Buster” Golliday of Wake Forest, North Carolina; his sisters, Linda Snapp of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Patricia Zopp of Parkville, Maryland; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends who loved him dearly. He is also remembered by his four-legged companions, Bourbon and Brandi, who held a special place in his heart.
David spent his career as a home improvement contractor specializing in interior renovations and repairs. He believed that if a job was worth doing, it was worth doing well. He took tremendous pride in his craftsmanship and treated every home as though he were working on his own. It was a reflection of the way David lived his life and one of his favorite pieces of advice: “If you’re gonna do something, do it right the first time.” And, true to David, he was also known to say, “Go big or go home.”
Away from work, David knew how to enjoy life. He loved Corvettes and Hellcat Challengers—cars he proudly owned and collected over the years. He appreciated a good bourbon, Saturdays watching his Ohio State Buckeyes play football, and Sundays cheering for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But cars, bourbon, and football were no match for what David treasured most: his family.
Some of his fondest memories were not extravagant ones, but the simple times spent surrounded by the people he loved. He often reminisced about the many nights at Mom and Dad’s house, when everyone gathered together to play horseshoes, cards, and pool, laughing and carrying on until late into the night. Those were the moments David treasured—the kind that may have seemed ordinary at the time but ultimately became some of life’s most precious memories.
Those who knew David knew a man who was funny, loving, adventurous, devoted, and, yes, a little stubborn. He loved to laugh and have a good time. He worked hard, loved deeply, and cared fiercely for his family. At his core, David was simply an all-around good guy and a genuinely good man.
When pancreatic cancer entered his life, David fought valiantly for a year. He remained hopeful and determined, not because he was afraid to fight, but because there was still so much life he wanted to live. He wanted more time with Nicole, Lauren, Matthew, and his grandchildren. He wanted to travel. He wanted more adventures, more laughter, more holidays, more ordinary days, and more memories with the people who meant everything to him.
He fought bravely and remained a strong and valiant fighter until the very end.
For Nicole, the loss is immeasurable. David was the boy she met in high school who became the man with whom she would share nearly an entire lifetime. He was her husband, her partner through everything life brought their way, her best friend, and her soulmate.
For Lauren, he was an amazing father—the man who loved her unconditionally and who later embraced perhaps one of his most treasured roles: being Poppy.
For Emma, Olivia, Wyatt, and Mia, he will forever be their Poppy.
And for everyone fortunate enough to have known him, David will be remembered as someone who loved his family with his whole heart, worked hard, enjoyed life, made people laugh, and fought with everything he had for more time with those he loved.
Although his family would give anything for more time with him, the love and memories David leaves behind cannot be measured in years. His presence will live on in the stories that are told, the laughter he inspired, the lessons he taught, the family traditions he treasured, and especially in his children and grandchildren.
David was deeply loved, and he will be deeply missed. His family will carry him with them always.
A Celebration of David’s Life is being planned, with details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those wishing to honor David consider making a donation in his memory to Animal Rescue, Inc., a no-kill “Sanctuary for Life,” located at 2 Heritage Farm Drive, New Freedom, PA 17349, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
White Funeral and Cremation Service, Bolivia
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