David Prifti

Our beloved David Prifti has left this world after a two and a half year battle with pancreatic cancer On Monday, November 21, 2011. He leaves behind his mourning parents, wife, children, sister, brother and friends. All of our lives have been made richer and better because of him. David was born in Worcester on June 10, 1961, the third son of James and Dorothy Prifti. His life was lived with passion. His appetite for art and learning never faltered. As an artist he created photographs that have been shown in multiple museums and galleries, and are included in the permanent collections at MOMA, Houston Museum of Fine Arts, DeCordova Museum, Worcester Historical Museum and the Boston Public Library Print Department. He loved his work as a teacher of Photography at Concord-Carlisle high school, where, for the last 25 years, he gained a following of students who learned to look at the world, and know themselves, more deeply. His dedication to his students led to many life-long friendships, which were a source of great joy to him. His enthusiasm and love for people made it difficult not to like him. David met his wife Monika in 1980 when they both attended Massachusetts College of Art. From that point on they were together in love and friendship until the day he died. Their children, Lucas and Amanda, were the light of his life. David loved nature, and as a teenager became an eagle scout. Landscapes were a large part of his early photography, and later, when learning the historic process of wet plate photography, he made a whole series of images of trees along the Assabet River. During summer he could be seen wading in the river's shallows, with a darkroom boat in tow holding his camera and the chemicals necessary to develop his images. Whether David created art or puttered in his garden, he was fully engaged in the present moment. He loved nothing more than meeting people and talking with friends, often being the life of the party. He was kind, loyal, generous and extremely funny. He was socially gifted, always eager to get to know new people as he held on to old friends. As a result he shared his joy, inspiration and humor with many people, near and far. When David got sick there was a tremendous outpouring of love and support for him and his family from the many communities he was a part of. Friends, colleagues, neighbors and kind strangers contributed with food, gifts, services, friendship and moral support. The kindness and generosity we met was astonishing, and made the most difficult time of our lives filled with unexpected grace and beauty. We are most grateful. His Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, November 30 at The First Parish in Concord. In lieu of flowers tax gifts in his memory may be made to the Concord-Carlisle Scholarship Fund (CCSF) c/o David Prifti Memorial Scholarship Fund, PO Box 217, Concord, MA 01742-0217 www.ccscholarshipfund.org Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, CONCORD FUNERAL HOME, Concord. To share a memory or offer a condolence visit: www.concordfuneral.com