David Alan Tregay

March 29, 1939 - August 3, 2026

David was the youngest of seven children born to Lloyd Tregay and Myrtle Marjorie Gardiner. He was born and raised in Oak Park, Illinois. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree in physics from the Illinois Institute of Technology and went on to work as a telephone engineer for the Bell System, first as part of Western Electric and later AT&T.

He married Constance Marie (Connie) Struska in the school chapel at IIT on September 3, 1960. The first of their seven children was born a couple of years later, and David found joy in welcoming each one to their family over the years as well as opening their home to foster kids – 98 in all.

In addition to his family and career, David was passionate about ministry and travel. Over the years, he served as a deacon, elder, usher, choir member, bus captain, Awana co-commander and in many other capacities at various churches. He also served on the ministry boards of several Awana missionaries.

In the late 1990s, David and Connie began helping at Camp Awana, where they operated and grew a nature center for summer campers which they renamed the Genesis Center. They continued this ministry each summer through 2019.

Travel was another great passion for David and his family. A 1962 trip to the Seattle World’s Fair sparked a lifelong interest in World Expositions, and over the years the family attended a total of 14. As a traveling duo, with David behind the wheel and Connie as the planner, they visited all 50 states, every province of Canada, and more than 40 other countries through a combination of vacations and mission trips.

Despite the challenges that Alzheimer's presented in his final decade, David continued to enjoy spending time with others through the activities at Fairhaven in Rockford, where he and Connie had moved in 2013. He was known for his warm smile and friendly greeting to those he met while participating in choir, Wii bowling, bingo, and other activities. He will be deeply missed by the many people who knew him as a friend.

David is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 66 years, Connie Tregay; their children Aileen (Kevin) Grant; Beth Tregay (Kiekens-Hudson), Cindy Knupp, Dave (Rhonda) Tregay; Erin (Charles) Lasky; Flynn (Kristen) Tregay, and Grant (Betty) Tregay; 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren with another great-grandchild expected this fall.

Memorial Service will take place at Village Church of Bartlett, Bartlett, Illinois, on Saturday, September 5 at 11:00 am. Livestream can be found at that time at this link:

https://www.youtube.com/live/tAtGVZpYmnQ?si=L2Hk96uqXmFIbX-W

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Answers in Genesis at PO BOX 510, Hebron, KY 41048-0510, to honor Dave’s passion for God’s Creation and the truth of Genesis.