David Lewis Chenail

David (Dave) Chenail, 66, of Williamstown, Massachusetts, passed peacefully on December 11, 2025, after a valiant battle with cancer.
Dave was born on January 13, 1959 in North Adams, Massachusetts to Mary Janice Chenail and was always deeply proud of his North Adams roots. He was adopted by his father, Richard Chenail as a child. Dave always saw himself as a Chenail and loved his uncles, aunts, and cousins. After settling down in Williamstown, Dave spent the next 36 years investing daily in his community. From coaching every youth sport imaginable, teaching CCD, substitute teaching, or serving as the President of the local Little League or the ABC house, Dave was an incredible, supportive figure in the community.
The pinnacle of his success in life, in Dave's eyes, was his family. He married his soulmate, Jude Chenail, in 1987, and they celebrated 38 years of marriage on September 25 of this year. Jude and Dave could often be found walking the trails behind the Clark with their beloved dog Bauer, competing in their own "reading Olympics" on Corn Hill Beach in Truro, enjoying a Tanglewood picnic under the stars, or spending time with their beloved friends in Williamstown and beyond. For their children, they modeled what true love looks like and how to show up for each other every day. Dave was the proud father of Keenan, Katherine (Kat), and Liam. Being a father was Dave's highest calling in life. He showed up for every single field trip, sports game, and concert. He planned special adventures for his kids and every summer, he loaded everyone into the car for epic canoe trips in Algonquin Park in Ontario. Dave equally loved his children's partners, Julia Chenail, Matthew (Matt) Dias Costa, and Destinee Branch, as if they were his own children.
Dave was blessed to be the "wise Papou" to his beautiful grandchildren, Silas, Sage, Wyatt, and Whelan Chenail. From the moment Silas was born, Dave took on being a grandfather as his most important role yet. From Museum trips, creating the next generation of history lovers, days at the library, ice cream adventures, and everything in between, Dave loved his grandchildren with his whole heart. Bringing everything full circle, Dave got back onto the field and had the best time coaching Silas's lacrosse team alongside his sons the last few years.
Despite his work always ranking second to his family, Dave was an accomplished attorney. The first in his family to attend college, Dave was a proud graduate of Greenfield Community College, UMass Amherst, and New England School of Law. He spent years running his own law firm in Berkshire County, where he was able to provide legal services in the community he loved. In his second act, he worked as general counsel for a state agency, where he was an appellate specialist, arguing frequently in front of the Massachusetts Appeals Court and Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Dave is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren, as well as his mother. Dave is also survived by his siblings, Celeste Demarsico, Michael and Sandy Chenail, Pam Shea, Ricky Chenail, Stacey and Bing Spear, Lance Alpi, and Dari Alpi. Dave is also survived by Jude's siblings, with whom he spent many beautiful days on Tudor Beach in Nahant and Corn Hill in Truro, including Deborah Locke Dalton and Arthur Dalton, Michael and Deb Perry Locke, Richard and Jodi Locke, Joseph and Katherine Locke, and Lori and James Kirby. The nieces and nephews who survive Dave are too numerous to name, but they know how deeply they were loved by Uncle Dave, each with their own unique relationship with him. Dave's family is so blessed to witness his legacy be carried forward by so many who loved him dearly.
Dave is predeceased by his father, Richard Chenail. He is also predeceased by his grandson, Wyatt Chenail, who is waiting for him with open arms in heaven, ready for his turn of Papou adventures.
FUNERAL NOTICE - A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 19, at 11 a.m. at Williams College's Thompson Memorial Chapel, 860 Main Street, Williamstown. Calling hours will be Thursday, Dec. 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Patrick's Church, 63 Southworth St., Williamstown. A loved one will be providing flowers for the celebration. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested for the Phelps Center or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital through Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St. North Adams, MA 01247.