David Alan Taft

David Alan Taft, 70, of Vernon, CT passed away on Friday, May 5, 2017 after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. David was born in Orlando, FL to the late Henry and Lois (Field) Taft. He permanently made Connecticut his home after the family relocated here in 1954.

David is survived by sisters, Linda Fagioli and her husband, Nicholas, of Nutley, NJ, and Shirley Omicioli and her husband, Stephen, of Tolland, CT. He was predeceased by another sister, Mary Taft. David also leaves behind five nephews, a niece, and numerous cousins.

He graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University and continued on to Adelphi University to pursue a doctorate but left his studies to join the Army.

David had a keen intellect and enjoyed challenging his mind to find solutions and explore possibilities and spent many hours reading and researching a variety of topics. He loved to share his insights, whether it was while working with colleagues on traumatic brain injury cases or while volunteering in local community and national organizations to address the environmental impacts of modern-day living on natural resources and wildlife.

He also had a great sense of humor and the ability to instantly provide a pun or two during a conversation or situation. David had a lifelong interest in astronomy, and he enjoyed listening to music, reading, and following the Red Sox and Patriots.

The family wishes to acknowledge the kind and compassionate care of David and our family by ECHN’s Woodlake of Tolland and the Visiting Nurse & Health Services hospice team during David’s final days.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at Rockville United Methodist Church, 142 Grove Street, Vernon-Rockville. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery, 162 Roberts Street, East Hartford. There are no calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Fisher House Connecticut, www.fisherhousect.org. To leave online condolences, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com