David M. Cabral

David M. Cabral of East Providence, RI, passed away unexpectedly on Friday January 16, 2026, at the age of 70. David is survived by his sister Doreen M. Cabral and her husband Raymond Deschenes of North Carolina, and his brother Stephen Cabral and his husband Brendan Byrnes of New York City. David was also a loyal and loving dog dad to 9 year old Hugo.

Born on July 2, 1955 in the Fox Point section of Providence, David was the oldest child of the late Joseph Cabral Jr. and Evelyn Cabral (Costa). A graduate of Fox Point Elementary School and Nathan Bishop Middle School, David attended Our Lady of Providence Seminary (OLP), where he graduated in 1973 before heading to Rhode Island College (RIC) and graduating in 1977.

While at RIC, David discovered his love of costume and fashion design which he immediately put to use designing costumes at RIC and for a number of local theatres, including productions at The Barker Playhouse, Looking Glass Theatre as well as professional summer theatre at the Green Mountain Guild in Vermont. While briefly working wardrobe backstage at Trinity Rep, David created his own "clubwear" brand which was sold in exclusive NYC and Boston stores, including the infamous Fiorucci boutique.

David attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX where he proudly studied under the famous husband-and-wife theatrical design team: William and Jean Eckart. He earned his Masters Degree in 1984 and once back in RI, he quickly found work at Providence College which he has called home ever since. As Professor Cabral, he has educated and touched the lives of countless PC students. At the time of his death, David was Chair of the Department of Theatre, Dance & Film.

While working at PC, he also continued to design costumes throughout the New England area, including at Rites and Reason Theatre, Boston Conservatory Theater, Walnut Hill School, Cumberland Company, LaSalle Academy, Killington Playhouse, Salve Regina University, Theatre By The Sea, and many others.

Inherently and fearlessly Portuguese, David traveled multiple times to Portugal where he became even more enamored by its food and culture, specifically its traditional music: Fado. It was his love of the legendary Portuguese Fado singer, Amália Rodrigues, that brought him immense joy.

A devout Catholic, David was an avid churchgoer who for many years attended and sang in the choir at his family church Our Lady of the Rosary. In more recent years, he was an active parishioner at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul in Providence where he was a Lector, a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the Gregorian Concert Choir.

On Friday January 23rd at the Cathedral of Saints Peter & Paul, 30 Fenner Street, Providence there will be a visitation starting at 8:30am followed by a 10am Mass of Christian Burial.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David's memory to the Providence Animal Rescue League, 34 Elbow St, Providence, RI 02903. www.parl.org.

Arrangements by the REBELLO FUNERAL HOME, East Providence. www.rebellofuneralhomes.com