David Lewis Blackwell

My sincere condolences to his extended family and friends. I hope I am allowed to add something at this late date. We were friends; interacted on the Key Club, the school service organization; and teammates in an ill-fated Senior basketball game against the faculty. In an effort to deter "testosterone poisoning," only Seniors who did not make the Varsity were allowed to play. As Mr. Arcieri, our history teacher, and later principal, said the day after, "you played your heart out the first quarter," when we were tied 10-10. But then the faculty asserted themselves. Stan Davis, later that year my baseball coach, dominated on the boards; and a faculty member who I think taught shop, had a heartbreaking outside shot. I think we were down 20 when David Maasen, who was on the Varsity and was our coach, pulled the starters and let others play. Those were "embarrassing days," not "Glory days," for us. David wrestled for the Varsity, and was our Center for that game. He was a gentleman and a scholar, I will miss him, and the world is a sadder place without him.

We are deeply saddened to hear of David's passing . He was the go-to person for all personse inquiring about the family to the Roosevelt Island Historical Society. He visited us and the family home on Roosevelt Island at various occasions. His extensive knowledge and love for the family history will be missed by us.

Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.

Judith Berdy
President
The Roosevelt Island Historical Society

David's death is a tremendous loss personally and for the community. No one else knew the history and old families of Hopewell as he did. As he said, when he was growing up Hopewell was still a "kinship" community, and David knew all the connections. David gave me an on-the-ground tour of Hopewell and its early inhabitants about six years ago. History came alive! Only a month ago, he was emailing me suggestions about my forthcoming book on a Revolutionary War sword from the Hopewell-Princeton area. His knowledge is irreplaceable. I hope his hearers listened well. I also hope his many genealogical questions are being answered in heaven. I bet he is having a good time.

David and I did genealogy in Middle School to find out we were cousins about 17 times removed. He remained a friend in my heart, though I saw him only a couple of times after graduation.
Carolyn Cox Taylor
Class of 1965

To the Blackwell family, my deepest condolences on your loss. No doubt the loss of David will affect many. May you find strength in family, friends and God now and in the days ahead.

Our condolences go out to David's family. We share his love for community & historical interest in Pennington & Hopewell Twp. I grew up in Pennington & graduated from CHS with Dave, & was happy to spend time with him at our 50th reunion. He will be missed. Susan & Jim

My condolences to the Blackwell family. I enjoyed Davids company and knowledge on projects that we worked on together. A very nice, kind man, always willing to help in any way that he could and share his vast knowledge. Rest in peace

David was a wonderful friend with a kind heart. He will be missed.

To the entire Blackwell family:
Please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved David.
I met David at a Blackwell reunion (the Lackawanna/Luzerne county branch) in August of 2017. I then proceeded to receive the most informative and richest discussion of my life. David was truly an inspirational person.
Please know that his spirit will be with you forever.

I met with David a number of years back to talk with him about the Edling/Blacwell family connections (My Grand mother was Anna Ralston Blackwell.) He was a gracious and knowledgeable gentleman. I've thought of him often in the intervening years. God bless him and his family.

David was the one responsible for my interest in Blackwell family history.

I met David at one of his many yard sales. After an hour of happy shopping I made my way to David to check out. It was then I learned this was more than a yard sale. We proceeded to have a lovely conversation about Princeton (where I had grown up(, Hopewell ( my husbands family had grown up) and all things old. As an antique dealer I appreciated all he told me. What a genuine gentleman. RIP sir, you were a pleasure to know.

RIP David L. Blackwell my Mother met you last summer at a Blackwell reunion in PA.