David Tappen Macy

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of David Tappen Macy, known to all as "Dave," who died March 30, 2025 at the age of 84. Dave's life was defined by love, friendship, and his larger-than-life personality.
Born in Long Island, NY, on October 26, 1940, Dave's family moved to Coral Gables, Florida, in 1946, where he grew up and would go on to graduate from the University of Florida in 1962. Dave served as an officer in the United States Army, stationed in France where he met his beloved wife Irene. They married in 1967, and together shared 57 years of memories. Their family grew with the addition of their children, Allison Zucca, David Macy, and the late Joanna Macy. He was a good friend to son-in-law Michael Zucca and proud grandfather to Madeleine, Avery, and Juliette Zucca. He is also survived by his sister, Amelia Carew, nieces Elizabeth Griffith, Rebecca Carew, Laura Carew, nephew David Carew and was preceded in death by his brother, Harry Macy Jr..
Dave was a dedicated and kind neighbor, always there to lend a hand, and a loyal friend who was known for his humor, wit, and generosity. Playful and silly, he knew how to have fun with his grandchildren. He loved to wow kids (and adults) with train whistles, buzzers, and unusual objects in his workshop. Throughout his life, Dave had a dog companion by his side and will be missed by his beloved rescue dog, Tina.
As a doting father of a special needs daughter, Dave had a loving place in his heart for individuals with disabilities, serving as a parent advocate for Northview Community until his death.
Dave had many passions, including his lifelong love for tinkering and collecting. Whether restoring old sailboats, antique cars, or engines, he adored bringing new life to forgotten treasures. He had an eye for the unique, and could often be found at garage sales or antique stores, happily sifting through rusty relics in search of his next project. These hobbies produced many good friendships that sustained him through the years.
Above all, Dave was a character-fun-loving, full of jokes, and always the life of the party. His sense of humor and joy for life were infectious, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
A celebration of Dave's life will be held on Saturday April 26, 2025 at 10:00am at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Gulf Breeze, FL. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to New Horizons of Northwest Florida Inc., a cause close to Dave and our family.