David P. Tarasevich, of Wakefield R.I., passed away unexpectedly on April 12, 2023. He was 69 years old. His family is deeply saddened by his sudden passing.

He was born on December 14, 1953, to John and Madeline (Boyington) Tarasevich, and raised in Westerly, R.I.

After graduating from St. Bernard's High School, he attended St. Michael's College for 2 years before starting his career as commercial fisherman in Pt. Judith, R.I. for over 30 years. He later started his position at the University of Rhode Island.

David is survived by his loving daughter, Madeline Bellico, her husband, Michael Bellico, and his loving son Mason Tarasevich. He will be forever remembered by his siblings, John Tarasevich, his wife Christine Tarasevich and his sister Paula Shawyer and her husband, Thomas Shawyer. He also leaves behind several nephews and nieces, John Tarasevich, Johanna Benavidez, Elizabeth Teicher, Peter Tarasevich, Tracy Shawyer and Thomas Shawyer. David is preceded in death by his father, John Tarasevich, and his mother, Madeline (Boyington) Tarasevich.

He will be remembered as a great deckhand and shipmate and one of the hardest-working employees at URI, always willing to volunteer when needed. He enjoyed spending his summers at his favorite place, Misquamicut Beach, with his lifelong friends. He was an avid reader and enjoyed clamming in his spare time. Using his trusty clam rake he always managed to get more than enough clams to share with everyone. David had recently joined the Elks Club and was able to reconnect with several of his shipmates and shared stories of their days fishing. He loved to take walks and speak with anyone along the way. Spending Sundays with his "favorite little girl" Lilly, Madeline's two-year-old yellow lab, was a highlight of his week. His memory will live on in the many lives he touched.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations in his name can be sent to the Pt. Judith Fishermen's Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 386, Narragansett, RI, 02882.

For guestbook and condolences, visit averystortifuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Westerly Sun on Apr. 20, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for David Tarasevich

Sponsored by Avery-Storti Funeral Home & Crematory - Wakefield.

9 Entries

Martha Holland

April 13, 2024

A year later, and it´s still a shock to realize gangly David isn´t out on the beach somewhere, pointing out his family´s little cottage in Misquamicut. We were the unlikeliest of best friends that summer working at The Sandpiper, he was so good natured and friendly and loved by everyone who crossed his path.

Sue Alfiero-Bavasso

April 27, 2023

The passing of David has deeply saddened me! I always thought we´d catch up with each other again and now that time has passed. The last time I saw him on the beach, it was immediately like old times. David was a big part of my teenage and early adult years and fortunately I have great memories of those times! He was a loyal friend and always true to himself. RIP, my friend.

Martha Holland

April 27, 2023

It has been 52 years since David and I worked the day shift at The Sandpiper in Misquamicut. He was cheerful, exceptionally funny and a bright part of that summer of `70. What a huge loss for his family. My deepest sympathy.

Ray Main

April 26, 2023

John & Paula,
I am so sorry to hear about David. He was always a great guy and always treated me well. Although it has been years, I will miss him, as I'm sure you will too.

Barry Sullivan

April 22, 2023

i feel the pain of dave,s passing as all his relatives and family.dave and i had a lifetime freindship of good times and laughter.i miss you already.

bob froncillo

April 21, 2023

Dave lived his life for other people. His passing will leave a big hole in the hearts of a countless number of people. We should all strive to be more like him.

Stephen McAndrew

April 21, 2023

John and Paula and family members, on the behalf of the McAndrew family comes are sincerest condolences on your loss for David. It seems like yesterday when we were growing up on State Street. God Bless, Stephen McAndrew

Dan

April 21, 2023

Apology to Mason. I omitted you from the list of your family. My error. My thoughts are with you. Dan Dinoto

Dan Dinoto

April 21, 2023

To Madeline, John&Christine and family, Paula &Tom and family: This one hit me right in the heart.
David was my first boyhood friend and for a few years we were like Pete and Re-Pete. We completely lost track of one another over the years but now I see this news and I tell you that David takes a little piece of me with him. I have a lot of vivid memories of our adventures in the woods, backyards, and playgrounds in our old neighborhood in Westerly. Camp Watchaug in the summer...all summer together with other friends we met and made there together. We learned to swim and sail together. We were both water rats! David excelled in archery at camp. We used to go out and catch snakes together. We used to go fishing together. We rode our bikes to Watch Hill and back together. When we were 10, David, Kenny O, and I used to put on Beatle shows on Kenny's front porch for the other kids in the neighborhood. We put on wigs, had instruments that we couldn't play, and we would lip-sync and perform Beatle songs. David was always Ringo. Life took us in different directions and to different landing spots but all those things we did together from 1958 until about 1966 or so, are etched in my memory forever. I think the best way to convey my sympathy to all of you is to share those memories with you. I will carry them with me as I always have, so please know that just as part of David remains with you, so also part remains with me too.
My best wishes are with you all. Rest in Peace my old friend. Gone too soon. Love

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