David R. Wagner

David R. Wagner, 85, renown Historical Artist, passed away peacefully at his home in Montville, CT among his family members. He is survived by his wife Francesca Cintolo, and his two sons Raymond Wagner and Nathan Wagner of Norwich. He is predeceased by his parents Ralph and Janet Wagner of Jewett City and his sister, Linda (Penny) Wood of Jewett City. David is survived by 5 brothers, Ralph Wagner of Canterbury, Joseph Wagner of Lisbon, Rockwell Wagner of Plainfield, Anthony Wagner of Uncasville, and Mark Wagner of Norwich, and one sister, Ayan Minta of Joplin, MO.

David attended school in Griswold, CT, and became a dairy farmer during and after high school, then entered the Air Force where he was stationed in Spain. He attended Black Hills Teachers College and University of Connecticut, and received a degree in history from East-ern Connecticut State College. He served as the first Selectman for the Town of Plainfield in the 1970's.

A self-taught and versatile artist, David Wagner's media included acrylic on canvas paintings and pen & ink illustrations. His subjects include portraits, still lifes, landscapes, Native American scenes, and representations of historical events. Most notably, he painted a series depicting the activities of Washington and Rochambeau during their campaigns of the American Revolutionary War.

He was also fascinated with the history of the Eastern Woodland peoples and produced numerous painting for the Mohegan tribe and the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut. His works can be seen at the Newgate Copper Mine and Prison State Park, in the Lebanon Elementary school, and in the Groton, Lisbon, Griswold, Preston and Plainfield Town halls. He produced a series of 32 paintings of historical events for the publisher of the Norwich Bulletin known as the "Donald Oat Series".

David was commissioned to paint a 56' long mural of the "Peoples of the World" which hangs at the corporate headquarters of Ace International in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Various other compositions are in private collections, including a portrait of Bishop Mulvey of Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island. David's work is also found in a number of books and publications, which include "Mystic Fiasco: How The Indians Won The Pequot War," "Makiawisug: The Gift of the Little People" and "In My Own Back Yard." In 2019, The French Government honored David with the "Order of Merit" Award for his series of paintings documenting the French assistance in the Revolutionary War from Newport to Yorktown.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend an exhibition of David's paintings from 8:45 am to 9:45 am at the Griswold Funeral Home, 30 North Main St, Jewett City. Military honors will follow at the Soldier's Monument at 9:45 am. A memorial Mass will take place at 10:00 am in St Mary Church, 34 N. Main St, Jewett City. For memorial guestbook, please visit www.GriswoldFunerals.com.