Dave hired me for my first job out of college at Textron Financial.  After a year spent in the back office, Dave moved me into a sales position.  I found my first deal in that first month and Dave guided me through what to do.   The company was called Ocsidot Printing run by a salty old italian guy named Frank Todisco (Ocsidot backwards). 

Dave wanted to go with me for my first closing and I will never forget what happened next.  Despite the fact that Frank had signed a proposal and given me a deposit, he notified Dave and I that he was not going to do the deal with me.  His banker had convinced him to use the bank instead and he didn't have the heart to tell me. 

Dave asked Frank if he was a man of his word.  Frank said he was.  Dave then asked me for my pen.  He held his arm out and put the pen an inch from Frank's nose.  He said that if you are a man of your word, you will sign the contracts.   Frank stared at the pen for 30 seconds and Dave didn't flinch.  Frank grabbed the pen and started signing.

I was in shock and awe.

Amazing salesmanship.  It's a story I tell often. Miss you Dave

I've been attempting to write for some time. Just before learning of David's death I was searching for my boyhood friend's location on the internet under the name of David Retallick and could not locate him.  I only wish that I used his fathers name to locate him because I was in Naples FL only 30 minutes away.  Perhaps after not seeing him for over 45 years we would have been able to spend some valuable time together.  Maybe some day we can reconnect and remember the days of playing baseball on Marcella Avenue in Pittsfield, MA fantasizing about being at Fenway Park and watching our hero Ted Williams hit.  
I think of David from time to time and find it hard to believe that he is no longer with us. Know even after all this time that I am very sorry that my old friend David Retallick is gone.  I'll always remember him fondley. 
Tim Carlo 
  

 

I, too, was a classmate of Dave's at Lenox. While we were not terribly close, I remember him as a good guy with a great sense of humor, as well as a determined athlete. My thoughts are with his family and friends.