David Dagenais, intelligent man
David Dagenais, a grateful husband and life partner of 43 years to Scott H. Strickler, died Aug. 27, 2022, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes following a long struggle with complications arising from infection by COVID-19.
David leaves behind a large number of family members, both given and chosen, including his brother, Richard and his wife Cathy; and sisters, Dorothy R. (Dottie) Dagenais and Jean (Queenie) Bailey and her husband Richard; as well as nephews and nieces too numerous to list, in addition to grand-nephews and -nieces, and many, many friends.
David was born in Hartford, Conn., June 22, 1942, along with his twin brother, Daniel (d. April 2, 1987). He was also predeceased by his parents, by his sisters Elizabeth (Liz) McLaughlin, Anne McAvoy, and Lee-Ann Lee, and by his brother George Jr. (Butch).
David graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford in June 1960. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1960-66 and was trained and then assigned to serve as a Portuguese linguist, both stateside at the National Security Agency in Maryland and aboard ship during various deployments. David later worked as a proofreader and copy editor with The National Geographic Magazine at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., as a horseman in Dale City, Va., and as a direct mail customer service representative then comptroller, at a small direct mail firm in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C.
Following an episode of major depression, David began college in 1994 at the age of 52, graduating six years later with a master’s degree in social work (MSW) from University of Maryland School of Social Work in Baltimore, Md.
David and his husband Scott moved to Milton in 2000, and he worked for six years at a child welfare agency in Caroline County, Md., where he earned his license as a clinical social worker (LCSW-C). He spent the next seven years doing what he loved best, providing mental health services as a psychotherapist. David finally retired in 2014.
David was a longtime member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth, and recently joined the Unitarian Universalists of Southern Delaware congregation in Lewes. He especially enjoyed movies, gardening, his two pet dogs, who each shared 13 years of life with David and Scott, and travel. He will be remembered as a person of intelligence, persistence, spirituality, warmth and wit.
Final care for David has been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit David's Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
