David J. Thwaites died at Tufts New England Medical Center, Boston March 10.

The beloved husband of Kathleen A. (Mayo) Thwaites, he was 83 years of age.

Born in London, England, he was the son of the late Arthur J. and Lillian B. (Cooke) Thwaites. Raised and educated in London, David achieved his standard education and continued on to the Cass College of England, where he studied chemistry.

During his time in college, David was also a member of the British Royal Navy, serving England in the early 1950'€s. Upon his completion of college and the Navy, he secured his first professional position at WJ Bush. It was there that he met and fell in love with his bride of 61 years, Kathy Mayo. Together they brought three children into the world, to whom he was devoted.

David began working for Canada Dry as a chemist, which was a position that he held for a number of years after leaving Bush's. But in 1976 David and Kathy made a decision to move to America -- Ridgefield, Connecticut first, Boothbay, Maine and then they settled in Woburn, Mass. in 2000. David continued his work in the soft drink industry, where he founded International Beverage Management. David served as chairman and founder right up to the time of his death. The drinks, which he developed, are served throughout the United States and Caribbean.

Above all else though, David'€™s family always came first. As dedicated as he was to his work he was twofold with his family. He has enjoyed all of the family adventures, celebrations, calamities and daily comings and goings. Always enjoying his grandchildren, "Grandad" spent very special time with his grandchildren playing (and teaching) "snooker,"€ watching football and really getting involved with premier soccer. He was a lifetime fan of Tottenham Hotspurs.

David lived life to the fullest. His adventuresome spirit, love of his family and dedication to everything he was involved in has certainly provided those who had the pleasure of sharing time with David with some wonderful memories.

David is lovingly survived by his wife, Kathleen A. (Mayo) Thwaites; his children, Christopher J. Thwaites and his wife Alison, Martin L. Thwaites and his wife Amanda, all of England, and Dianne K. Hustus and her husband Hol of Woburn, Mass.; his brother, Geoffrey Thwaites and his wife Sandra of England; his grandchildren, Damian, Kimberley, Sarah, Jonathan, Melanie, Paula, Mark, Harrison, and Emily; and his great-grandchildren, Sasha, Samuel, Summer, Cameron, Amber, and Joe.

A funeral service was held under the direction of the Lynch-Cantillon Funeral Home, Woburn on Monday, March 16.

At the family's request, in lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in David's memory to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.