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FUNERAL HOME

George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home - Needham

1305 Highland Avenue

Needham, Massachusetts

David Summergrad Obituary

David Summergrad of Needham, September 24, 2020. Beloved husband of Mary Grace (Miner) Summergrad. Devoted father of Lisa E. Summergrad and her husband Graham Leverick of Somerville and Anna L. Summergrad of Waltham. Brother of Florence Summergrad of Jersey City, NJ. Uncle of Jeremy Kohler of Jersey City, NJ. Cousin of Paul Summergrad of Newton. As a lifelong educator and mentor he will be deeply missed by many. Funeral services private. Expressions of sympathy may be made in Davids memory to the ACLU, Black Lives Matter or another education or social justice organization of your choosing. Online guestbook at gfdoherty.com. Arrangements by George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home, Needham.

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Published by The Needham Times from Sep. 26 to Oct. 8, 2020.

Memories and Condolences
for David Summergrad

Sponsored by George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home - Needham.

13 Entries

Chris lundgren

September 22, 2024

Mr Summergrad was the interim principal at my school almost 10 years ago me and him formed a very strong bond over time. Mr S always had a nice thing so say. Recently I was looking for his contact information to try and reconnect however I was hit with the shocking and upsetting news. May god rest his sole. Fly high Mr Summergrad

Naomi Handelman

September 19, 2021

Back in 1964, most adults in our family smoked. My cousin Dave was only 11, but knew this was bad. So he built a plastic model of the human lung and attached a lighted cigarette. Over time, with a puffing mechanism, you could see the plastic lung become "diseased" and discolored.
I was 9 and my sister was 5, and the lecture he gave us ...and the adults in the room...had a big impact.
My mother stopped smoking cold turkey ... and my sister and I never started.
Even at age 11, he was an amazing teacher.
Of course, when the lesson was over, he chased us around the yard with a large foam baseball bat.... But that´s another story!

Naomi Handelman

April 18, 2021

David was my second cousin, and we grew up only a few miles from each other in Glen Cove,NY. He was so popular, that I achieved a certain degree of “coolness” just being able to say we were related. My favorite memory of him was when he taught all of the kids on our YMCA bus the words to “Tie Me Kangaroo Down”, circa 1962.
We had lost touch over the years, but recently sent each other occasional messages on “23 and me”. I regret not traveling up to Massachusetts to get to know him as an adult.

Max Guttman

October 15, 2020

The lessons I learned from David during the three years we worked together at Explo created the foundation for the teacher I am today. His presence that was calm and reassuring, yet energizing and delightfully funny is something that I strive to embody. And likewise, he really walked the talk in his work to make the world a better place. I, like so many others, was so lucky to know him, learn from him, and experience his pure joy and passion for helping others.

Julianne Jensen

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Donna Sweeney

October 2, 2020

I am so very sad and my son was part of summer ink enrichment program in high school, which got him into writing poems about his emotions and helped him overcome allot, thank you David for such a devotion of time of giving back to our kids and community! You will be missed and cherished deeply!

Elizabeth Quinonez

October 2, 2020

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. We met only once for a Summer Ink event over 5 years ago now, but kept up an email correspondence for some time. We share memories and successes like getting into college, running marathons, studying abroad, fundraising efforts, mutual friends, and Summer Ink. I believe it says a lot about David that after one meetings, he decided to be a support and source of encouragement for years to come. Thank you for the work you did, I know your legacy will propel that work forward still. God bless.

Joann Archetto

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Isma Stallions

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Isma Stallions

September 28, 2020

One of the most wonderful teachers I have ever got the chance to meet. David was one of a kind, the kind of teachers that you never forget. He had a passion for teaching and he transmitted it to his student teachers. He was kind, passionate, friendly, and above all caring. Today, I can safely say that the world of education has lost a teacher who will be extremely hard to replace. Rest in peace David! Thank you for inspiring me! Thank you for teaching me that the job of a teacher is the most beautiful job on earth when you do it with love and passion. You will be forever in our hearts.

Esther Rettig-houdesheldt

September 27, 2020

My condolences to his family, friends, and my fellow students who knew and loved him. I remember him as my 7th grade English teacher. He inspired me along with my classmates. To this day, I listen to the music he introduced me to, for I had won The Greatest Hits of Bread in his classroom. I still listen to it while I am doing surgery. He was a terrific educator and believed in his students. I remember him introducing a few of us to the Boston Symphony. He brought music and English to life. He was a very kind and gentle man who inspired many of us. He will be greatly missed. Esther Rettig-houdesheldt (Smith) class of 1983.

ronnie Koenig

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Rob Reddington

September 26, 2020

David had boundless energy. He was always in the fight for a good cause or charity. He touched so many people in his life. He will be greatly missed .

Showing 1 - 13 of 13 results