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David Marhafer Obituary
David was born in Schenectady to Beatrice Marhafer (nee Connelly) and Joseph E. Marhafer. He met the love of his life, Barbara Holley, in seventh grade and went on to marry her on August 14, 1965. A lifetime learner and educator, he attained his bachelor's degree in English from Manhattan College in 1965 and two master's degrees, one in teaching from SUNY Albany and one in English from the College of St. Rose.
David retired from South Colonie Central High School after teaching for almost 40 years. His dedication and devotion to proper grammar, the English language and the Oxford comma (oops) left many frustrated, yet impressed. Conjugating verbs was his idea of fun.
During the 1980s, David was also an adjunct professor of writing at SUNY Albany, St. Rose, Schenectady County Community College and Hudson Valley Community College. He was an active member of the Capital District Writing Project and won the New York State English Council Achievement Award for outstanding writing in 1981. He also served on several church and community boards and, as a lover of the written word, ran a book club for his friends and neighbors for 20 years. He was never without a book.
An avid Neil Diamond, Billy Joel, classical music and Broadway musical fan, David played the piano and loved dancing. Music was his constant companion, the love of which he instilled in his wife and children. Lunch at Sardi's in New York City and a Broadway show with his wife and loved ones was one of his favorite ways to spend a day.
David was known for tackling historic renovation projects that could last years, and his commitment to plants and gardening was renowned. One of his favorite places on earth was Cape Cod, where he often spent parts of every summer at Richard's.
Surviving relatives include his wife of 59 years, Barbara Marhafer (nee Holley); his son, David C. Marhafer of Pittsburgh, PA; his daughter, Jeannine M. Smith (partner Larry Tuxbury) of Albany, NY; his son, Jeffrey R. Marhafer (Barbara) of Palm Harbor, FL; and his daughter Eve Meek (Tres) of Virginia Beach, VA; grandchildren Quinn and Claire Smith of Albany, NY, and Gordie and Andrew Meek of Virginia Beach, VA; brother John Marhafer (Joanne) of Cape Cod; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
David was pre-deceased by his loving sister, Sallie Constantino, and his poodles, Martini & Rossi, Maxine and Roxane. The family would also like to thank the warm and caring team at Arden Courts residence on Tampa Road in Palm Harbor, FL.
Never a morning person, David is now resting peacefully.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated June 29, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church, 810 Union Street, Schenectady, NY. A calling hour, starting at 9:30 a.m., at the church, will precede the mass.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Marhafer
Sponsored by Gleason Funeral Home, Inc. - Schenectady.
Lynne Ogren
July 18, 2024
One of my favorite teachers and colleagues. He is aptly described above.
Kelly (Marhafer) Lefgiero
June 28, 2024
Barbara - We had such a beautiful visit last time I saw you and David. It was at your home near proctors. I believe that was the beginning of David not doing well. Lost contact with you guys until now. We may not of been close cousins, but it was always pleasant when we did get together.
Wish we could have had another beautiful visit.
David was one amazing guy. Through all his teaching career, I´m sure David gave wise advice to many students.
Rest In Peace David - we will miss you .
Love, cousin Kelly (Marhafer) Leggiero
Mary Anderson
June 28, 2024
Barbara, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. I always enjoyed knowing you as a friend and a teacher of great value. I remember Martini and Rossi, your renovated Stockade home.
Karen Barnes Robbins
June 26, 2024
To the family of Mr. Marhafer, sincere condolences . He was my English teacher in 11th grade and also picked me up from summer school after Geometry class on his way to work at Albany Savings Bank. My Mom was the bank manager there at the time. Thank you , Mr. Marhafer for keeping the love of English alive. Sincerely, Karen Barnes Robbins ,Class of '72
Robin Bard Kretzler
June 24, 2024
Mr. Marhafer was one of my favorite teachers, class of 72. It had a great sense of humor and put up with a lot with the group of pranksters that was in that room. Our class was split, go to class for half a period, break for lunch then come back to his class. He never knew what to expect when he came back from lunch. I don´t know how many times his room was changed around when he came in. He would try to look mad but you could tell by his eyes he was laughing inside. Great teacher. So sorry for you loss. May he rest in peace.
Brenda Shea (Mcgue)
June 24, 2024
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. Best teacher at CCHS!
Class of '84'
Mary Farnan-Dugan
June 23, 2024
Dear Barbara and Family-
I remember the many gatherings at your home for the Colonie English Faculty, and I remember how gracious and welcoming you and David always were to me. I also remember how being with your children was so much fun, simply a reflection of their parents' personalities. Thank you and David for these pretty wonderful memories.
Thinking of all of you at this time and wishing you peace, comfort, and love.
Mary Farnan-Dugan
Joanne Gaddor McGrath
June 23, 2024
My sincere condolences to the Marhafer family. I was a student of Mr Marhafer at both Lisha Kill and also CCHS . He was an excellent teacher. I would also see him at Albany Savings bank. May he rest in peace .
Janet Hutchison
June 22, 2024
Dear Barbara,
I remember so clearly your many visits with David to The Open Door Bookstore,
I loved talking about books with David and his choices for the Stockade Book Club. We missed you both when you moved away. He was a very special person. You and your family are in my thoughts.
Janet Hutchison
Jean Malone, Class of `79
June 22, 2024
Dear Mr. Marhafer,
My heartfelt condolences to your wife and family. Alzheimer´s is a brutal disease. I am so sorry that they had to endure losing you degree by agonizing degree. I wish them comfort in knowing you are healed now- happy and whole again.
That said, I want to tell you that you were my favorite teacher at CCHS. I was crazy for English and writing before I met you, but your guidance and kind encouragement gave me a confidence in my writing that I carry to this day. You were a master educator. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Margaret Markham
June 21, 2024
Mr. Marhafer was my seventh grade English teacher. I recall him being an excellent teacher whose love of learning was quite evident. May he rest in peace.
Margaret Ptacek Markham
Ray Matthews
June 21, 2024
Having graduated from Colonie Central H.S. in '71 I didn't expect that any of my teachers would still be living. I regret that I didn't earlier connect with David. Mr. Marhafer was one of my favorite English teachers...a bit strict and strait-laced at the time, but nevertheless a wonderful educator. My condolences to Barbara, children and grandchildren.
Paula Senecal Class of `73
June 21, 2024
Mr Marhafer was my high school English teacher of many classes. He taught me how to hone my love of writing which has stayed some all these years. After all my years of schooling resulting in an Associate´s Degree, my Bachelor´s and my Master´s degree in Education I can say that Mr Marhafer was one of my all time favorite teachers and a huge influence on me going into teaching. I met him out socially and during our discussion he gave me permission to call him by his first name. No-can-do!
Rest In Peace Mr Marhafer you full filled your duties here on Earth and now you can start a new journal in heaven. I wish I had written and told you how much you influenced my life.
Peter westfall
June 21, 2024
Mr. Marhafer was my English teacher at Colonie central. Rest in peace sir. A life well lived.
Dan Malinowski
June 20, 2024
An amazing teacher at South Colonie High School. A great sense of humor and a caring person. One of the best at CCHS. I hope I did not make any grammar mistakes in this condolence. I will never hear the end of it.
Paul Mack
June 20, 2024
I begin with heartfelt condolences to the Marhafer family. Your loss is immesurable.
What to say about David? He has been a dear friend for 60 years. I did and still do love him.
I met David (nobody ever called him Dave) in 1962 when we were both employed by St. John the Evangelist as teenaged cleaners of Church and School at $1.25 per hour. (It better be clean for the service) Our boss was Karl J. Paulson, the Sexton.
David was wise beyond his years and I was not. He was my mentor and third brother. Eventually we both went to Manhattan College. David preceded me by two years. He to study English and me, Engineering. He tried to teach me English, and I tried to teach him Engineering. Neither of us succeeded.
During out college years we continued to work at St. John's during school vacations. He remained my wizened advisor and I remained his student.
After my marriage to Martylou Paulson (the boss's daughter) David and Barbara moved out of their rental flat on McClellan St. We moved in. David advised me to buy a "Lazy Boy" chair and of course, I did.
We continued to be friends over these past many decades. We were both busy with raising children and tending to careers. But we continued to see each other. While these visits were not frequent, they were cherished.
I recall a visit to the house on Washington Ave. I was dumbstruck with the number of digital music albums David and Barbara had. I got Barabara's recipe for tapenade 13 years ago and still have it.
Sadly, I remember David taking me aside at the State St. condo and telling me about his diagnosis.
I was heart broken and remain so,
We were once considering our joint life paths and he said something I shall never forget. "Paul, we had a script and we followed it!" I know what he meant, and I will leave it to the reader to understand his meaning.
While they may not have fully appreciated it at the time, those he taught were very lucky. I bet they do today.
David's was a life well lived. We are all diminished by his passing.
I bet he would love to edit the above. "Grammer correct" certainly had a time.
Rest easy my dear, dear friend. Paul Mack
Carolyn Vogt
June 20, 2024
Dear Barbara, Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers
during this sad and trying time. My sincere condolences to all of you. Although it has been many years since I have had contact with you, every now and then I think of you
and the good times we shared at St. Columba´s School. Love you,
Carolyn Dolansky Vogt ([email protected])
Hyde Park, N.Y.
Lisa Holley
June 20, 2024
Barbara, Dave, Jeannine, Jeff & Eve-
So sorry to learn of your father's passing. Sending hugs from DC. I still think of my father every day even though he passed in 1986. He still lives in my memories & heart, as your father does in yours. Tricia & my mom will represent at the services. A donation has been made to the Alzheimer's Association in your father's name. xoxo
Mary Lynn Christman
June 20, 2024
Dave was a classmate of our brother/ father, Jim Merryweather back in St. John the Evangelist school. His sister,Sallie, was a friend of mine and my sister. So sorry to hear of his passing. His life sounded full and exciting. Our condolences to Dave's family.
The Merryweather Family
Kathleen Messitt
June 20, 2024
Dear Barbara and Family,
We were very sorry to hear about David´s recent passing. It seems like yesterday we were in grade school together at St. John the Evangelist School. Our paths have crossed so many ways over the years and then your children were good friends with our children - especially Holly. Holly especially enjoyed David´s love of the English language.
With sincere sympathy!
Tom and Kathy Messitt
Wilmington, NC and Schenectady, NY
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