David F. Packard

David Francis Packard (Pops), 76, of Ilion, NY, passed away on June 2nd in Las Vegas, NV, while away on a vacation celebrating his 76th birthday with his son Todd. David was born in Amsterdam, NY to David and Jean Packard on May 31st, 1945. David lived in Amsterdam with his family until he was 10 years old, when has family moved to Enfield, CT, where he lived the rest of his childhood. He graduated in 1963 from Cathedral High School in Springfield, MA, and then attended Fairfield University. He settled in Enfield where he raised his two sons, Scott & Todd, with his then spouse, Terry. He worked for 25+ years at Scharr Industries in Bloomfield, CT, where he started off as a machine operator and worked himself all the way up to the plant manager. David loved modified stock car racing and would regularly attend Friday night races at Stafford Motor Speedway with his two sons and brother, Bill. He was also a die hard NY Giants Football fan. In 2001, he decided to move to Upstate NY to help run the Mohawk Valley APA with his son, Scott, where he lived for the last 20 years of his life. The APA Pool League was a big part of his life. Even after his son sold the business, David stayed involved and was the heart and soul behind it. He leaves behind a major impact on this pool league community and will be greatly missed. David was also an active member of Redeemer Church in Utica, where he was a member and served faithfully for 15 years. Most will remember him for his dedication to making coffee for church attendees and his involvement in the men's ministry events. David is preceded in death by father, David Horton Packard; mother, Jean Packard, & older brother, Edward Packard. David is survived by his son & wife, Scott & Yvette Packard; his son & wife, Todd & Brenda Packard; his brother, William Packard; grandchildren: Christian, Samuel, Lily, Morgan & Harmony. David's wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes brought to the Packard family camp in Providence, NY, a place that David spent six summers of his early childhood with his family, and visited regularly after the family moved to Enfield and loved every moment of his 76 years he spent there with his family and friends. Calling hours to remember David and pay respects to family will be Sunday, June 13th from 3pm to 4:30pm at Redeemer Church, 931 Herkimer Rd., Utica, NY 13502. Followed immediately by a short Celebration of Life Service starting at 4:30pm. In lieu of flowers for David's memorial, we would ask you to consider making a donation to Redeemer Church's Missions Fund myredeemerchurch.com/memorialfund. A reception will also be held immediately afterwards at 6pm at the VFW, 129 Mohawk St., Herkimer, NY 13350 with food provided. There will be a separate reception later in the week in Connecticut on Friday, June 18th from 4pm to 6pm for family and friends who cannot attend the services in NY. This will be at the VFW, 36 Fairview St., Windsor Locks, CT 06096. Please email his son Todd for more info on this event at pacmanct69@yahoo.com.