David J. Tapparo

David J. Tapparo, 85
1939 - 2025
Danvers - David J. Tapparo passed away on January 26, 2025 at home after a long illness.
David was the son of his late parents, Mildred (Arnold) and John Tapparo. He was born in Lebanon, PA on June 7, 1939. His family moved to Hershey, PA where he graduated from Hershey High School in 1957. After high school, he attended MIT, earning bachelor's and master's degrees in Mechanical Engineering. After graduating from college, he joined the General Electric Company Aircraft Engine Group in Lynn, MA, working there until retiring in 2001. While at GE, he worked on several engine lines but was mostly associated with the mechanical design of the centrifugal compressor stage for the T700 engine.
In his spare time, David enjoyed cooking, baking (especially bread, pizza, and doughnuts), gardening, golf, "Mr. Fix It" projects, woodworking, electronics tinkering, and duplicate bridge. He helped to establish a weekly duplicate bridge group originally at the Danvers Senior Center and later at the Peabody Senior Center. Despite admitting to having a "tin ear", David enjoyed listening to Big Band music of the 30's and 40's and rock n roll of the 50's. He also enjoyed the challenge of jigsaw, crossword, and Sudoku puzzles. David was a lifelong sports fan. Having played football in high school, he enjoyed following the Patriots as well as all other Boston teams.
David volunteered in his community, always seeking to make a difference in other's lives. He did not seek attention or thanks. As a very unassuming man, David was content to work behind the scenes. He drove a van for the Danvers Senior Center. For 7 years during tax seasons, he was an AARP Tax Aide volunteer, where he prepared state and federal tax returns for approximately 100 taxpayers per year. David was a lector at the 7AM Sunday mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation Parish in Danvers.
David was loved by many, and they will remember spending time with him baking Christmas cookies, helping him with his gardening chores, getting help with school work, and just hanging out with him. They could not help but learn from his giving ways and knowledge of many, varied topics. His example of love for his wife, family and friends has influenced many.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Maryann (McCandless) Tapparo; a son Andrew Tapparo and wife Susan of Topsfield, MA; a daughter Julie Hoskeer and husband Chris of Boothbay Harbor, ME; a son John Tapparo and wife Sonja of Dayton, OH; four grand children: Amy Kefalas, Amanda Tapparo, Nicole (Tapparo) Schena and husband Chris, and Hunter Tapparo and his wife Jessica, one great-grandson: Colby Kefalas; sisters-in-law: Marie Tapparo and Darlene Wirschem; and nephews David Tapparo, Stephen Tapparo, and Jeffrey Wirschem. He was predeceased by brother Frank Tapparo of Arlington, VA and nephew Todd Wirschem of Rochester, NY.
Service Information: Relatives and friends are invited to attend David's funeral which will be held from O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (Rte. 62) DANVERS on Monday, February 3rd at 9 A.M. followed by his funeral Mass at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 24 Conant St., Danvers at 10 A.M. Burial in Annunciation Cemetery, Danvers to follow. Visiting hours on Sunday, February 2nd from 2 to 5 P.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in David's memory may be made to St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, 90 Forest St., Danvers, MA 01923 or to the Perkins School for the Blind, 175 N. Beacon St., Watertown, MA 02472. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com.