David Hood Alward, 83, of Tucson, Arizona, entered eternal rest peacefully at his home on November 28, 2025. He was a cherished father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend. His presence will be deeply missed.
David is survived by his children Kenneth Alward and his wife Alexandra of Arizona, Lisa Alward of Rhode Island as well as his grandchildren Tiffany Alward of Virginia her children Janessa and Malakai. Brittany Walenta and her partner Thomas Capetanelis of Oregon and their children Demetrius and Artemus.
David is also survived by his brother Peter Alward and his wife Kathleen of Utah and his beloved sister in law, wife of his oldest brother, Philander, Nancy Jean Alward of New Jersey.
David was predeceased by his wives Dorothy Ellen nee Van Benschoten they married from 1962-1971 and again in 2011 until her death in 2019. Patricia Ann Davis nee Neal, they were married in 1973 until her passing in 2004.
His sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Alward, brothers Philander Alward and Dennis Alward and Dennis' wife Diane also predeceased David.
Raised in Ridgewood NJ, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Allendale NJ, David attended the American School while in Japan. As a young husband and Father he moved to Wycoff, New Jersey. He later moved with Dottie in 1969 to Attleboro, Massachusetts. He relocated with Patricia to Norton, Massachusetts in 1973. He happily spent his retirement years with Dottie in Tucson, Arizona.
David was a 1959 graduate of Ramsey High School, he later attended Defiance College in Ohio.
As a young man Dave worked for Budd built in vacuum cleaners in Wycoff, New Jersey. David went on to work for many years selling Datsuns and later Nissans at Fireside Motors in North Attleboro, MA. Upon his retirement from Fireside he started a business as the Deputy Tax collector for several towns in Massachusetts.
In Daves younger years he volunteered as an ambulance driver in Wycoff, New Jersey. Early in his retirement he volunteered for the American Red Cross and FEMA.
David was a devoted family man, he raised his children to be independent and resilient. He took great pride in his children's combined 47 years of service in the US Navy and his Grand daughter Tiffanys service in the US Army. His adoration for his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren was evident in the handmade wooden cars and trucks he made for the boys and his playful sense of humor, a popular bit for several generations was his Donald Duck impression.
David had many hobbies including but not limited to gardening, boating, oil painting, genealogy, model trains, carpentry and in his later years coin collecting.
He also loved to travel throughout New England and later the United States. His best-loved trip was a year long RV cross country excursion with Dottie. They visited historical sites, friends and family all over the US. They told stories of their adventures for years after. David loved his Country.
Relentlessly curious he was instilled with a life long love of learning. He thrived when engaged in intellectual debate and discussion. His love of learning was evident until his very last moments.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to honor the memory of David Hood Alward. www.redcross.org
David is survived by his children Kenneth Alward and his wife Alexandra of Arizona, Lisa Alward of Rhode Island as well as his grandchildren Tiffany Alward of Virginia her children Janessa and Malakai. Brittany Walenta and her partner Thomas Capetanelis of Oregon and their children Demetrius and Artemus.
David is also survived by his brother Peter Alward and his wife Kathleen of Utah and his beloved sister in law, wife of his oldest brother, Philander, Nancy Jean Alward of New Jersey.
David was predeceased by his wives Dorothy Ellen nee Van Benschoten they married from 1962-1971 and again in 2011 until her death in 2019. Patricia Ann Davis nee Neal, they were married in 1973 until her passing in 2004.
His sister Elizabeth "Betsy" Alward, brothers Philander Alward and Dennis Alward and Dennis' wife Diane also predeceased David.
Raised in Ridgewood NJ, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Allendale NJ, David attended the American School while in Japan. As a young husband and Father he moved to Wycoff, New Jersey. He later moved with Dottie in 1969 to Attleboro, Massachusetts. He relocated with Patricia to Norton, Massachusetts in 1973. He happily spent his retirement years with Dottie in Tucson, Arizona.
David was a 1959 graduate of Ramsey High School, he later attended Defiance College in Ohio.
As a young man Dave worked for Budd built in vacuum cleaners in Wycoff, New Jersey. David went on to work for many years selling Datsuns and later Nissans at Fireside Motors in North Attleboro, MA. Upon his retirement from Fireside he started a business as the Deputy Tax collector for several towns in Massachusetts.
In Daves younger years he volunteered as an ambulance driver in Wycoff, New Jersey. Early in his retirement he volunteered for the American Red Cross and FEMA.
David was a devoted family man, he raised his children to be independent and resilient. He took great pride in his children's combined 47 years of service in the US Navy and his Grand daughter Tiffanys service in the US Army. His adoration for his Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren was evident in the handmade wooden cars and trucks he made for the boys and his playful sense of humor, a popular bit for several generations was his Donald Duck impression.
David had many hobbies including but not limited to gardening, boating, oil painting, genealogy, model trains, carpentry and in his later years coin collecting.
He also loved to travel throughout New England and later the United States. His best-loved trip was a year long RV cross country excursion with Dottie. They visited historical sites, friends and family all over the US. They told stories of their adventures for years after. David loved his Country.
Relentlessly curious he was instilled with a life long love of learning. He thrived when engaged in intellectual debate and discussion. His love of learning was evident until his very last moments.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you please donate to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to honor the memory of David Hood Alward. www.redcross.org
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David Alward, please visit our flower store.
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