Please click on 'Gallery', and the 'Stories' tab to share or view recently uploaded pictures, a slideshow and a few videos in our dad's life.
Friends received Tuesday January 13, 2-4 and 6-8 PM at CHARLES W. TRENZ FUNERAL HOME, INC., 11110 Frankstown Road, Penn Hills PA. Funeral Mass was Wednesday, January 14 at 10:30am at St Bernadette’s Church in Monroeville PA.
Internment at Mt Saint Macrina in Uniontown, PA.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in David’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1100 Liberty Avenue, Suite E-201, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, to the Brother's Brother Foundation in Pittsburgh, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Please feel free to leave a message or tribute below:
Tributes
Leave a tributeMany times I'm reminded of you with your paintings in the game room and certain items mostly in our bedroom.
I'm still hanging in there doing art, exercising, and a few trips to visit the kids, but I still miss your pleasant personality and our special marriage. The kids are growing up so fast and Bob's two girls just had their 2nd birthday.
Love you always-----------------Joan
Love you so much - Amy.
Had problems with my password a day or two ago, but today I found it and I am wishing you a most eventful birthday - your 90th . All of the kids and Barb have extended their birthday thoughts to you on this very special day. Think of you often, especially when I am painting and fondly remember how beautiful your paintings were--
Love, Joan
We lost you 4 years ago today, but we still miss you. As a hard worker and a good dad, you were a great example to all of us. I can remember so many good times with you while I was growing up and as a young adult. I am grateful, but all I can do is to pass it forward. I am sure that is what you would want.
This has always been such a nice holiday for our family, but over the past few years everyone lives out of state. I do have chances to visit the kids - Bob, Tom, and Amy - throughout the year, but they are now celebrating with their own families in their own homes.
Still think of the many good times we had thru the years and you are in my memories always----- Joan
We're all thinking of you today and remembering all the great times and great trips we had over the years.
Forever Missed has been such a great place to leave messages .
From Finn Goring
remember all the great and funny times we had together through
the years."
Joan and family
Still treasure all the good times we had over the years. We were blessed--
Love,
Joan
So many things in life to thank you for - like giving me the confidence and drive to always do my best. And a good sense of humor. Oh - and for the long skinny legs. Those have definitely been a plus too. ;-)
It is our 1st Christmas that we haven't shared in over 55 years, but I am happy that we can cherish many, many wonderful family Christmas memories of more than a half century.
Love always,
Jo
Churchill and Berkshire suites in London, making a TV commercial in Rome (CAPACINO!!!), gelato in Florence every night, tulip gardens in Amsterdam, the view of Venice from St, Marks, the night train from Amsterdam to Venice, and many more. Remembering hurts.
Tom and Shirley
Love,
J
I MISS YOU ALWAYS WITHTHERESTOF THE FAMILY
Dave was also wiz at Ping Pong and he hustled the 20 year olds in the Student Union. Students would see this tall white haired fellow come up to the table and ask to play. I can only imagine their first thoughts but their shock and awe was apparent immediately when he unzipped a flat case. "OMG! he brought his own paddle!" Dave's reputation grew. He was the guy to beat at Ping Pong even into his 80's. His gentle and easy going personality was an asset and blessing to many students.
It was a pleasure to be in Dave's company and to have known him.
Speaking for my wife Ann-Marie and myself, we will miss Dad very much. I would like to share a few aspects of my father that everyone may not be aware of.
Dad never forgot the humble beginnings of his own life. He always treated people of all backgrounds and abilities with respect. Learning this served me well in my time in the Navy and throughout my life. He also had a special empathy for those that needed more family warmth.
He also showed us that working hard is an honorable endeavor. I recall this trait in a few ways that weren't always easy to appreciate while growing up. Whenever something in the house or one of the cars needed to be fixed we were compelled to join him in the effort. Both Tom and I (and 'cousin' Bruce) were inspired by this 'make it work attitude' to be engineers. Dad also required that we earn money to pay for 1/2 of our car insurance - not so easy in the late 70's but it made me appreciate my mobility and freedom.
We will miss my dad. But, we've been missing pieces of him for a long time now. His painting, golfing, tinkering with cars and appliances became things of the past a few years ago. Of course, his variably funny jokes, his sense of rhythm and dancing, his goofy humor and whistling, and his love for Joanie continued on to remind us all that he was still here. I recently saw a saying 'Life isn't about surviving the storm - its learning to dance in the rain'. I think we all figured out how to do that the best we possibly could have over the past few years.
Dad’s final passing is still very fresh in our minds. We know that angels were watching over him, and God had a plan for him - we listened to God and played our roles like violins and bassoons in an orchestra in those final months - each coming in to play our part when he needed us. He made sure Dad had a final place to rest with wonderful care and loving people - and that Dad left our world peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, and not alone.
I looked through so many pictures last weekend. We know his childhood was hard. But he persevered, and had an incredible, amazing life, filled with lifelong friends, family, hard work, fun, getting to see the world, and appreciating it through art, music, dancing, laughing and love. Joanie was his love, his organizer, his memory – and he never wanted to leave her side. Everyone I spoke with at the funeral
remembers Dad being kind, strong, funny, loving, brilliant, and hard-working. His paintings are now a wonderful legacy for our family. What a better role model could we have in a father?
Dad - You are always with us. Now, perhaps more so than ever. You raised and shaped us to be strong, smart, hardworking and funny people, loyal friends and spouses, and wonderful parents. We will not let you down. And we promise to take good care of Joanie.
Leave a Tribute
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Please be patient.
Fixing Everything
When my dad was a teenager, I heard stories about 'Frecks car' that they bought with their crap game winnings. I heard about how my dad took the car apart, and put it back together.
I heard about how he survived his time in the army in Labrador, fixing stuff.
He fixed everything in our house. He kept appliances alive for far longer than expected, and perhaps long than my mom wanted (thinking about that dryer :-).
My aunt and grandma would always drop off whatever appliance was broken - a hairdryer, a curler, etc. for him to fix.
He was always under a car tinkering. He kept all of our cars intact. He knew everything about my first Honda civic, even noticing the different hood than the original, although i never openly admitted about the accident I had where i had to replace the hood.
When Mark and i bought our house, he set up a workbench in the basement - for Mark. Its on my life's list to clear it off and organize it better. And learn how to fix things.
My brother Tom calls it 'the knack'. He got 'the knack' I think, and goes on to fix things and build things himself. Somehow the passion didn't get passed to me, but i always respect those who have 'the knack'.
My mom has given away many of his workbench tools to places like Habitat for Humanity, and neighbors, and each of us kids. Hopefully 'the knack' will live on in many of us. :-)
87th birthday
Thought of you on your 87th birthday today and still cherish all the great times, trips, and memories we had during our years together.
Love you always,
Joan
On the water!
Dave and Joan joined us on our boat many times over the years, it was always a great day even if it rained and we cought no fish. I uploaded a great picture we found of Dave and Nicholas taken many years ago. It shows Dave's love so much!
The file was a pdf, I hope it loaded. If not I will re-scan as a jpg.
Hope all are doing well.
Grace, Parke and Nicholas