David A. Sacco

1959 - 2023

David A. Sacco
August 12, 2023
David A. Sacco, age 64, died unexpectedly on August 12, 2023, while leading a group of university students on an international development project in rural Ecuador.
David was born on June 8, 1959, in New Haven, Connecticut to Carol (née Connolly) and Humbert Sacco. The oldest of five children, David was quiet and thoughtful; even as a young person, he cared deeply about his family and community. In 1977, he graduated from North Branford High School. He went on to attend Yale University, earning a Bachelor of Architecture in 1982 and later completed a Master of Science in Civil Engineering at the University of Washington.
On September 7, 1991, David married Amy Brewer. They have been together for more than 30 years, sharing many interests, including Morris dancing, kayaking, and several beloved dogs. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his mother, Carol Sacco, his sister Joyce Sacco, brother-in-law Steven Schwartz, and nephew, Jacob Schwartz; his sister Diane Sacco Marquis and nephews William, Johnathan, and Daniel Marquis, and his niece Hailey Matsuyama (née Marquis) and her husband Didac Matsuyama; his brother Paul Sacco, sister-in-law Kathy Carney Sacco and nieces Carolyn and Hope Sacco; his brother Mark Sacco and brother-in-law Ken Lima; his brother-in-law Montie Brewer, sister-in-law Jamie Brewer, nephew James Brewer and niece Abagail Brewer. He was preceded in death by his father, Humbert Sacco.
David was a professional engineer who began his career in Washington State. Since 2000, he has worked at TPA Design Group in New Haven, Connecticut, providing site evaluation and design for residential, commercial, and municipal clients.
In addition to his domestic engineering work, he served as a school construction volunteer with the Peace Corps in Gabon (1986-1988), and as an Associate Field Officer for UNHCR in Sri Lanka through the United Nations Volunteers (1995-1996). He also worked on short-term projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kosovo, and Nigeria.
For many years, David served as a professional mentor for the Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA), Yale Student Chapter. With the EWB-Yale Chapter, David worked alongside engineering undergraduates and local community members on water supply projects in Cameroon and Tanzania. In 2011, David received the EWB Founders Award for his service to the mission of EWB-USA and was recently honored by EWB with the Accomplished Mentor Award.
We will remember David for his devotion to family, quiet acts of service to others, hosting Thanksgiving dinners, and his love for dogs. He lived his values and died doing work that he loved.
Memorial contributions may be made to Engineers Without Borders – Yale Chapter at https://www.ewb-usa.org/donate/, Christian Community Action at https://www.ccahelping.org/donations/ , or the International Committee for the Red Cross at https://www.icrc.org/en/donate .
On Saturday, August 19, 2023, a Remembrance of David's life will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Counterweight Brewing, 7 Diana Ct., Cheshire, CT 06410, (203 806 1477) https://www.counterweightbrewing.com/ .