David Bailey Burnett

David Bailey Burnett, Teacher and lover of Classical music--1938--2024
Olmsted Falls, Ohio-David Bailey Burnett, 86, passed away at the Riverview Pointe Care Center, a recent transplant to Ohio from his beloved New England. Dave died from injuries sustained in an automobile accident which occurred on July 19, 2024.
David, known to many as "Deke," was a descendant of numerous very prominent 17th C. Rhode Island families, among them the Baileys of Newport, RI, and the Bowens of Gloucester, RI. David was the youngest child of Henry Bowen Burnett Sr. of Dayville, CT, and Alicia L. (nee Broughton) Burnett of Brooklyn, NY, and Hopatcong, NJ. Like his older brothers, Henry Bowen Burnett and Dr. Bruce Broughton Burnett, David was born in Summit, NJ, and lived in Plainfield, NJ. The Burnett family of five moved to Warwick, RI, in 1943, which David considered home no matter where he might be living later in life.
Dave attended Warwick city schools until college beckoned and he chose Bates College in Lewiston, ME, where he graduated with a degree in English. By this time Dave had grown to love the family's oceanfront cottage at Quonochontaug, RI, a love that never left his heart and soul.
Not one to let grass grow under his feet, Dave borrowed $400 from his parents following college graduation, and after the total destruction of the family's first beach cottage at Quonochontaug, RI, in the Hurricane of 1954. Dave set out to see Europe during the summer of 1955, a highlight of his young life that he talked about for the remainder of his life.
Upon his return from Europe, Dave's thirst for knowledge led him to continue his education at Boston College's School of Theology where he received a Master of Divinity degree. Academia was still in David's soul so he worked a year to earn money to repay his parents for the Europe trip and to work toward a Masters in English from the University of RI.
Degrees and work credentials then in hand, David accepted his first teaching position as a Master at the prestigious Avon Old Farms Preparatory School in Avon, CT. Summers and school vacations were, of course, spent at his beloved Quonochontaug. After three years at Avon, Dave's desire was to return to Maine where he again taught English at a private Preparatory School, named Kent's Hill School, in Readfield, ME. For four years he served as an English Instructor and Director of Admissions. Following a year of public school teaching, Dave accepted his final teaching position at Rocky Hill School, on the grounds of the Hopelands Estate in East Greenwich, RI, a mere twenty miles from Quonochontaug.
No longer interested in being tied down with live-in situations at boarding schools, Dave accepted a couple of jobs "for the money" until he secured a position with the State of Rhode Island, for whom he did home studies for private adoptions. This was a good fit for someone who had tired of lesson plans, dorm duties and classroom teaching. Dave continued with several State positions after administrations changed and the economy dictated focusing on different priorities. The most rewarding job was as an Employment Interviewer for the Department of Labor and Training, which turned out to be a good fit. Helping applicants to hone their job searching skills and find employment was a vocation David enjoyed.
Around 1975, Dave was in search of someone with whom he could share his life, and that wish came true when he met the man with whom he would share the ensuing 48 years. After a 37-year "engagement," Dave married Lawrence "Larry" Bacon, at Channing Memorial Church, a Unitarian Universal congregation in historic Newport, RI. Known affectionately by friends as "The Boys," Dave and Larry worked actively to advance the cause of marriage equality in RI and became involved in social action initiatives to gain the right to marry for all couples.
Later causes included giving support to Channing's adoption of a new outreach program known as the Born This Way Prom, founded by others at Channing, and which allowed students from area Junior High and High Schools to bring the dates of their own choosing to an event designed to celebrate their lives as LGBTQ+ youth. Now in its 15th year, "The Prom" has been a source of pride for volunteers like David and Larry, and for the congregation itself. "The Boys" like to say, "Many did far more than we did, but the effort infused life and meaning into the souls of two men of an age who lived through a closeted time when it was dangerous to be out and proud."
Following Dave's retirement in 1999, Dave followed Larry through a couple of job changes culminating in achievements and directorships which capped off Larry's 35-year museum career.
Declining health necessitated a slower pace for David, and the men retired to their lakefront home in Vienna, Maine in 2018. Wanderlust led David and Larry to pull up stakes in the spring of 2024 and make plans to move to the Cleveland, Ohio, area, near Larry's birthplace. This move came with challenges and numerous life changes, brought about by a car accident in July of '24.
Survivors include his husband of 48 years, Larry Bacon, Larry's sister, Paula, and two brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews from both Dave's and Larry's families, Dave's sister-in-law Candice J. (Mrs. Bruce) Burnett, numerous cousins from the Burnett and Broughton families and many grand-nieces and grand-nephews who Dave enjoyed watching grow into fine young people worthy of his affection.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Misencik Funeral Home of Avon. There will be no calling hours. Following cremation, David's ashes will be interred at Elmhurst Cemetery in Avon, OH, steps away from three generations of Larry's family, at a time to be determined. A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, October 20th, 12:30 p.m., with the Rev. Shirley Nelson officiating, at the West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church 20401 Hilliard Blvd., Rocky River.
In lieu of flowers, monetary gifts, for those who wish to do so, may be directed to the Undercroft Project of Channing Memorial Church, 35 Pelham St. Newport, RI, 02840 or to the Choir of West Shore Unitarian Universalist Church, 20401 Hilliard Blvd. Rocky River, OH 44116. Alternatively, monetary donations can be made to Channing Memorial Church's Interweave Fund to support future Proms, to the Program Fund of Cleveland's LGBT Community Center, 6705 Detroit Ave., Cleveland, OH 44102 or to any progressive charity of one's choice.