David Anthony Ventresca

David Anthony Ventresca died peacefully on the morning of August 5 after fighting a good fight against a horrible disease. He was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in his early fifties and it gradually progressed to the point he had lived in assistant living and then ultimately, and heartbreakingly, hospice.
David was raised in the suburb of Monroeville east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was the first of five children and was often teased by his siblings that he was the favorite. His parents, Mary and Vincent Ventresca provided a beautiful and loving home filled with Italian Sunday dinners instilling in him a sense of family Christian values. He graduated in 1976 and played baseball for Gateway Senior High School. In his mid-20s he joined the United States Airforce and his journey began.
To the dismay of his mother, he was stationed in Anchorage, Alaska. This is where he found extraordinary adventures. He learned that he loved the outdoors and everything Alaska had to offer. He loved to fish and hunt and that became a big part of his life. He joined Northern Light Tabernacle Church where they welcomed him into their fellowship and he became baptized at Mirror Lake in the middle of the winter. When David wanted something, he wanted it right away and this was no different. They had to break the ice for this very special baptism.
This church shaped the rest of his life. Besides finding his love for the Lord, this is where he found his beautiful wife, Jolene. They were married soon after they met in a whirlwind courtship and they built a life together in Anchorage. This is where he began to play the clarinet again, and he would play together with his father when he visited. With the church, he joined a mission trip to the Philippines where he and his brothers in Christ built a church.
After the Airforce, David worked for the United States Post Office for several years and he subsequently transferred to Pasco, Washington. While in Pasco he enjoyed many years of fellowship with the church, and was able to golf, and fish before the MS sorrowfully destroyed his body. Although he couldn't walk, his unique sense of humor carried him though. He joked and gave his snide remarks and sinister laugh until the end. The MS may have taken him physically, but it never took his faith in Jesus Christ. Even as his body continued to degrade he prayed to his Lord and Savior. He knew where he was going and will wait for us on the other side.
He preceded his wife Jolene (Allen) Ventresca in death as well as his stepchildren Ryan Corriell (Amour), Lisa Corriell, and Erin Lewis (Kenyatta); nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren; sister Natalie McElhaney (Chook), brother Joseph Ventresca (Paul Brozda), sister Joyce Ventresca and sister Jean Markewinski (Dennis) as well as many nieces and nephews. His parents Mary and Vincent Ventresca were waiting for him to join them as he danced his way into heaven with his healthy legs and giant smile.
Family and friends will be received at Columbia River Cemetery at 10:00 am on August, 12 for a gravesite service located at 224 South 24th Avenue, Pasco Washington 99301. Fellowship to follow at the Evening Light Tabernacle Church located at 40604 S. Finley Rd. Kennewick, WA 99337.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Coralitos Adult Family Hospice, 3605 Morehouse Place, Pasco, WA 99301.