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David DeFreitas Obituary
Born in New Bedford, MA, he was the son of the late Francisco and Arminda (Vieira) DeFreitas.
Mr. DeFreitas was a mechanic for Gemini Auto in Johnston and involved for many years in the North End Wanskuck Little League.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his children, Lori A. Ogren, David M. and Michael DeFreitas; and a sister, Kathleen Heroux. He is also survived by 8 grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Frank DeFreitas.
His funeral will be held on Thursday at 9 a.m. from the A. A. MARIANI & SON Funeral Home, 200 Hawkins St., Providence, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1081 Mineral Spring Avenue, North Providence. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, East Providence. Kindly omit flowers. www.marianiandson.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David DeFreitas
Janine Johnson
September 25, 2008
Dear Cousin Dale and Family,
You have been in my thoughts since I learned of your loss. Though time spent in Rhode Island was limited to our family vacations there, I remember the great fun it was being with our East Coast relatives.
Over the years since my last trip, my parents have often spoken of David. To Mom and Dad, David was loved like a son. And after reading the tributes written in this Guest Book, I understand even more why he was so special to them.
I am sure your own memories of the honorable man you loved so dearly will stay locked in your hearts forever.
My sincerest condolences are extended to you all.
Cousin Janine
Janine (Petrone) Johnson
Sara Nixon-Petrone
September 21, 2008
Dear Dale and the entire R.I. family clan,
I am very sad and shocked to hear that David is gone. David was always so full of life and love in his heart. Even though David probably didn't call himself a Christian, David was a wonderful Christian man by just purely being himself. I am so glad that I had the opportunity to know David. Being Dale’s youngest California cousin, I went to R.I. more times and longer than most of my siblings. In 1980 I went to R.I. with my father and mother when Auntie Rosey had surgery for cancer. I was having such a good time with my family, I didn't want to leave. I didn't for another year. Cousin Linda and her family took me in so that I was able to stay. That was when I was able to truly get to know my extended R.I. family. David was a saint in my books! What a wonderful man!!! He was not only a kind and loving husband and father, but a kind and loving human being to all who were lucky enough to know him. Dale, I grieve for you. I love you and I am so sad for you. David, you are so loved and missed by all. May you rest in peace and in Gods love. Until we meet again, Cousin David.
With Loving Memories and Regard,
California Cousin Sara Nixon-Petrone
Russell Raskin
September 18, 2008
Dear Dale and the entire Defreitas family:
Now that I have read some of the warm and wonderful words written about David, I realize I am not alone in feeling like I have lost a brother. David lived to help people. Nothing made him feel better than to help someone in their hour of need. He was a legend. My entire family considered him a favorite uncle (He was my wife's favorite customer for cookies when he came over.) My family and I will never forget him, and we are thankful that we were privileged to be his friend, and the friend of his family.
May you find comfort in his beautiful, giving, loving memory.
Connie Martin
September 15, 2008
Dear Dale, Family & Friends of David,
I think that the one thing that we would all agree on, is that David DeFreitas believed in the power of love. Whether it was a conscious decision or not, he truly lived by the credo that "in giving, we receive," and he gave of himself everyday that he was here. And in doing so he touched our lives and left a lasting mark.
My memories of David come from an extended summer vacation I spent in Rhode Island while in my early twenties. Much of my time there was spent with Dale, David and their family. It was definitely a bonding experience for me. Years before when my siblings and I would visit there, the gap in our ages versus those of our cousins, seemed much greater. This time around I was an adult and that gap all but disappeared.
I really enjoyed my time with them, and the opportunity it afforded me to get to know them better. On a few occasions I even got to babysit Michael ( who was just a baby! ) and his big brother David, with Lori assisting me in the diaper duty! ( You know, I can still picture in my mind Dale and David all dressed up and ready to go for a rare night out on the town! ) I'll cherish that memory even more now.
Along with being a good husband, David was obviously a wonderful Dad, and the role came to him naturally. He was equipped with everything you needed to be a good one. Patience, love and understanding, along with a strong moral backbone that he passed on to his children. And they in turn are passing on to theirs. ( My third cousins! ) So, in essence, David lives on in them. And if we keep him close in our hearts and try to live by that credo too, he will also live on in us.
Good-bye, Cousin David. It was so very good to know you!
Albert Petrone
September 13, 2008
Dale & Family:
You know that I love you all. David,to me,was a very special person. The first time I met him, was over 35 years ago. Me and Auntie Nancy & our six children had just limped in after driving that 3400 mile trip from California. We were in deep trouble because our
VW Bus had bent an engine valve. Dave showed up at Auntie Rosie's house, came down the long driveway and said " whatsa' matta' wit that big hunk a junk! ?"
I did not even know WHO he was! Until he explained that he was Dale's husband....." I'm gonna' go get my tools and we'll have that engine out in twenty minutes." And it was, then we lifted it into a pickup and Dave said "I'll take this overnight and it will be back in the morning, so don't go anywhere, ha, ha". To say the least Nancy and I were dumbstruck and just looked at each other in amazement! True to his word Dave came back early the next morning with the major engine repair completed, ready to be put back in the VW Bus. He told me, "we'll have this engine back in this car in an hour and you won't have a big piesa' junk anymore!" It was done in slightly less than an hour. When I tried to pay him Dave said "You ride in here with a broken down piesa' junk and now you wanna' insult me!" He saved our family's vacation and when it was time to leave for the return trip, Nancy and I, with our six young children drove safely back to our home in California... We shall never forget Dave's caring and kindness to us throughout the many years we came back to visit our family in Rhode Island.
Dave was so warm hearted and good natured. It is very difficult for us to say goodbye. We loved the guy and we will never forget him.
Love from Uncle Al
Annie (Petrone) Kile
September 13, 2008
As one of the "California Cousins" I did not have the opportunity to know David well personally. On our trips to visit, I always thought of him as one the "Adult Cousins". However, any of you who know my mother, Nancy Petrone, will know that she is a great judge of character, and I know that both she and my father, Albert Petrone, held David in their highest regard. For instance, my mother will never forget that David was up early the next morning after having foot surgery -- so he could help my father fix the thrown rod in the van we used to get across the country. I would have been 15, this means that David was probably 22 or so -- a very, very young man. Even with a hurt foot, there are many more enjoyable things for a young guy like that to be doing, but he was under the hood of his wife's Uncle's vehicle. That speaks volumes as to his character -- a generousity and concern for the welfare of others is oftentimes too scarce in this world and I am certain that all who truly knew David were blessed to have a man like him in their lives.
Dominic Petrone
September 13, 2008
To All My Family in Rhode Island-----I loved Dave like a brother. He was really good to me and I will never forget him. Keep the memories in your heart and that will help. I love you all.
Cousin, Dominic
Nancy Petrone
September 13, 2008
I first met David DeFreitas in the summer of 1972, after he had married my husband's niece, Dale Ann Borden. David was a fellow "goose" and I could tell after only a few minutes in conversation with him, that I was in for a treat being David's new aunty.
That same year David came to our rescue with his mechanical expertise. To us he was like the Good Samaritan written of in the Holy Bible, our own Knight in Shining Armour. And that is because David De Freitas never walked away when he could be of help. He didn't turn from us in our hour of need then or the many times that came after. And that is just how David was, he had the soul of a saint.
I often told David I would have been very proud to call him son, because that is the way I felt about David. And for the past 36 years, whenever I thought about him, my heart filled up with love for the man; he was so truly special. I can only hope David knew how very much I loved him.
I am going to miss David, as we all will. But there is some comfort knowing his accident caused suffering is over, there is no more pain for him to endure.
I believe David is at peace in the place we call heaven, and I pray that all of us who are grieving may find solace in this thought.
And to David I say ------------Farewell for now dear nephew; until we meet again you shall remain in my heart.
Sincerely,
Aunty Nancy
Leonard & Lorraine Santos
September 11, 2008
Dear Dale, Lori, David, and Michael. We were truly saddened and shocked when Kathleen called us early Sunday morning to tell us about David's sudden and untimely death. He was truly a great cousin, and we are saddened that over the years we had not gotten to see each other more often. That being said, I in particular have such fond memories of David when we were all much younger and growing up and seeing David and his great family so much more often except for the years 1954 thru 1964 that David and his family were living in Rochester, NY. It was a sad day when they moved to NY in 1954 and a great time when they returned to RI in 1964. David being my first cousin along with sister Kathleen and brother Frankie meant so much to my family and I, and we spent a lot of time together during those early years. When I married my wife Lorraine in May 1967, part of the wedding party consisted of David, Kathleen, and Frankie. When David was about 8 years old and living in NY, he even came to stay at my house for a few weeks in the summer. I was about 15 or 16 at the time, and we would be inseparable and would be playing baseball constantly at the beach & park that was near my house in Dartmouth, MA. In later years we did not communicate as much with each other as David's family grew and my family grew. However, when ever he would call me to chit chat and/or ask me some tax questions that he was wondering about, it was always so nice to talk to him. He always loved to kid around, and we would always end up laughing on the phone. Just two weeks ago, David & Dale were at Kathleen's home for lunch on a Sunday, and when I had called her house, I had the opportunity to talk to him again. Little did I realize on that day that that would be the last conversation that we would have with each other. My wife & I could clearly see attending the funeral today just how much love that David's family and friends had for him. I was asked to do one of the readings at the church, and it was an honor to do that at David's funeral at the request of his son's David & Michael. We know how hard that his death and passing will be on Dale & his children and grandchildren. It will also be so very hard on his wonderful sister Kathleen and on all of his friends, especially all of the friends that David always went out of his way to help. Rather than dwell on the negative part of his death, let us instead reflect on the love & frienship that David always gave to his entire family and to all of us that remain behind. Think about all the great times and laughs that he was known to bring to us all. Even in death, those memories will live on forever and cannot be ever erased from our minds and memories. Life must go on, David would never want it any other way. There are still many things to live for, and his memory will live on forever for all of us that remain behind. David is now up in heaven with his Mom & Dad & Frankie and all of the other relatives and friends that have predeceased us all. May God give strength to Dale & his family that mourn his death and always will.
Mark & Karen Dorgan
September 10, 2008
Dave and all of the family, Mark and I hope that in this time you remember what a great man your father was, always kidding around, and good friend to many, always there when someone needed a helping hand and would give the last 2 cents in his pocket to someone who needed it, Our condolences to you and your family
Richard Potenza
September 10, 2008
Dale,Lori,David,Michael. I like everyone else was very shocked an sadden after hearing such sad news.Iknew David from about 1967.He was always a stand up guy.If he said he would help you ,that was as good as money in the bank.I will miss seeing Dave coming around the corner and tooting the horn almost every morning at 7.00 buy my garage on Charles St. We have been friends since our teens. There is not a lot of things to say at this time that would ease what you are going through, except that their are not a lot of people that come along like David. Ihope that all of you are very proud of him, as a husband and a dad. Iwill miss Dave . Iam very proud to have had such a true friend. Good buy Dave, till we meet again someday and we can turn some wrenchs at the big station in the sky.
Vincent Petrone
September 10, 2008
I want to express my sadness for my cousin Dale and her family in the loss of David. I did not know David well but my mother and father always talked so highly about David. My Mom said he was always available to lend a helping hand. May God grant you His grace and peace during these most difficult times. Love in Christ, your cousin Vincent Petrone (Uncle Al's son)
John and Janice Fabiano
September 10, 2008
Dear Dale and Family, We were so very sorry to hear about David.We will always remember all the fun we all had at the beach-house, and all those crazy baseball games. He always had a smile and went out of his way to say hello. We are sure that he will be your special angel, and watch over you all and be with you always.God Bless You All and Take Care, Love always, John and Janice Fabiano and family xo
ERNIE & KATHY HEROUX
September 10, 2008
LORI, DAVID, MICHEAL,
UNCLE ERNIE & I WANT TO SAY HOW SORRY WE ARE FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR DAD. HE WAS A GREAT DAD AND LOVED HIS CHILDREN VERY MUCH. HE ALSO LOVED HIS GRANDCHILDREN. HE HAD SO MUCH TO LIVE FOR BUT GOD HAD OTHER PLANS. HE WAS ALWAYS THERE FOR THE 3 OF YOU AND I KNOW HE WILL STILL BE BESIDE ALL OF YOU ALWAYS LEADING YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. HE WILL REMAIN IN YOUR HEARTS FOREVER & FOREVER YOU WILL REMAIN IN HIS. WE LOVE YOU ALL
LOVE AUNTIE KATHY & UNCLE ERNIE
ERNIE & KATHY HEROUX
September 10, 2008
DALE,
ERNIE & I ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. WE KNOW HOW MUCH YOUR HEART IS BREAKING. THERE IS VERY LITTLE WE CAN SAY THAT CAN EASE THE PAIN BUT AS TIME GOES ON THE HEALING GETS BETTER. YOU HAVE TO THINK OF ALL THE GOOD TIMES YOU & DAVID HAD. AT TIMES HE ALWAYS MADE YOU LAUGH & SHAKE YOUR HEAD. IT'S THE GOOD TIMES & THE LAUGHS THAT WILL GET YOU THROUGH ALL OF THIS.WE WILL ALWAYS BE HERE FOR YOU.
LOVE KATHY & ERNIE
NARDUCCI FAMILY
September 10, 2008
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO TO YOU ALL, DAVE WAS ONE HELL OF A GUY, ALWAYS THERE WHEN YOU NEEDED HIM, NO ONE WILL EVER WORK ON OUR CARS LIKE HE DID, HE WILL BE GREATLY MISSED, DAVE WAS ALWAYS THERE TO WATCH HIS GRANDSONS PLAY BALL TAKE CARE AND GOD BLESS
Liz & Anthony Costantino
September 10, 2008
Dale, Lori & Rob
Our hearts & prayers go out to you and your family. Anthony spent alot of time at the house and is very sadden to hear of your loss. Rob, you now have a very special angel watching over you. May he rest in peace.
Deborah Cates
September 10, 2008
Dale and all your children I am so sorry about David. I use to work for Raskin and Berman until I moved to Florida. David and Your boys were always good to me, when it came to my car or just talking. Your husband was a good man who just worried about you and his kids and never of himself. The people who loved him our sad now it is hard to lose a loved one. I know that God will get you through and that David isn't suffering anymore. I saw him right before I left for Florida him got both my van and Toyota ready for the trip to florida David's way. They both made it here without a problem. I had a lot of respect for him and all your family. I will pray that you will celebrate the life he lived and know that he touched many people by his kindness. He will be remembered for all that he did for others. Be strong like he was and hold on to one another for comfort and love. That's what David would have expected and so does the lord. God bless all of you may life be kind and gentle to you Dale and be strong for your children and grandchildren. I know I lost my dad when Barbara and I was young and it has been 20 years. At first it was hard but we made it as a family. With all my love to all of you GOD BLESS EVERYONE OF YOU
Heather Santagata
September 9, 2008
My heart and prayers go out to all of his loved ones. I am so grateful to have known such a good man and will think of him everytime I'm in that "damn jeep". (& mom owes him one last apple pie)
Joe stevens
September 9, 2008
i am sorry for your loss my prayers go out to you
marty thibodeau
September 9, 2008
I`m really sorry for Your loss.I just court news of this just recently,I grew up with David and went to high school with him.Take care and god bless
Luis Horta & Family
September 9, 2008
I have known David since 1968. Since he lived with his Dad,Mom and Frankie and sister Kathleen. At Anderton Ave. No. Prov. I will never forget cleaning his favorite and one of my favorite cars he owned when he first started driving. His 1969 Camaro. Red with black stripes. And I still remember to this day his plate number. Which was Camero. I looked up to him. Because he was like a big brother with nice cars and used to show me how to work on them. I have many great memories of him that I will never forget. He was always ready to help me or anyone that would ask for his help. We are very sadden to hear of your loss. We will always keep his memories in our heart.
Eleanor Spivey
September 9, 2008
I am sorry for your lost.My prayers go out to you.May the Lord be with you now and always.
linda giaccarini
September 9, 2008
Dear Brother-Inlaw you will be missed by many, May God be with your loving family who will forever miss you, And cherish your memory forever.
love linda and james
Geri & Joe Brooks
September 9, 2008
I am so sorry for your loss.
Donna Pinto
September 9, 2008
Kathy & Ernie,
I'm so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Kathy Santagata
September 9, 2008
September 9, 2008
I will miss the look on his face and the position of his hands, if I walked into the garage without an apple pie in my hand or the smile when I did have one. I will always remember him when I'm making pies. He was a good man. Our hearts go out to all the family.
RAY BERNARDO
September 9, 2008
I will miss you great uncle dave.
tyrone borden
September 9, 2008
this is a shocking loss to all of us.you were a good brother in law to betty and i a person that would give a helping hand to any one at any time. we will miss you dave rest in peace brother in law.
Derrick,JOSHUA Borden
September 9, 2008
To aunt Dale,cousins David, Michael, an Lori, our Hearts go out to you in this very differcult time. We will miss him very much AN ALWAYS KEEP HIM IN OUR HEARTS
milt and kathy lbrother in law borden
September 9, 2008
we are so sorry about his passing.he was knowed to most as the goose a man who helped many people and was a fine ball player good father and grandfather we loved him and will miss him very much milt kathy borden
Detri, and Desante
September 9, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
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