David Alan Materna

David Alan Materna, beloved son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle against cancer on October 29, 2010 in Jacksonville, FL. David was 65 years old.

David was born on August 19, 1945 in Pontiac, MI to Chester Joseph Materna and Evelyn June Taylor Materna. David grew up in Maple Heights, OH and graduated in 1963 from St. Peter Chanel High School in Bedford, OH. He earned a Senatorial appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. David graduated from the Naval Academy in 1967, and was a naval aviator flying the P-3 Orion patrol aircraft. He was a Vietnam veteran and served three tours of duty flying patrol missions out of the Philippines, Thailand, and Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam. He also served with the U.S. Defense Attaché Office in Ottawa, Canada. David achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy prior to transitioning to the private sector.

He was the former President and CEO of The Paradigm Group of Gainesville, FL. Prior to joining Paradigm, David was the Director of Real Estate Capital Markets at Bank of Boston. He held BS and MS degrees in Aeronautical Engineering; as well as an MBA in Real Estate. He served on the board of the National Multi-Housing Council, and the advisory boards for the University of Florida Center for Real Estate Studies and the Multi-Family Housing Executive Leadership Council. David was also a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Most recently, David was a Partner with Taurus Stornoway Investments, in Jacksonville, FL

David was a devout Catholic and a member of Holy Family Catholic Church and previously Prince of Peace Catholic Church, where he served as Eucharistic Minister.

David is survived by his devoted wife of 41 years, Caron Swenson Materna of Jacksonville, FL; two beloved daughters, Julie Anne Materna Ossi of Jacksonville Beach, FL and Nicole Alan Materna Papas of Jacksonville, FL; four wonderful grandchildren, Madison Grace Papas, Haley Nicole Papas, of Jacksonville, FL, and Noah David Ossi, and an expecting grandson, of Jacksonville Beach, FL; brothers, Gary Stephen Materna (Diana) of Solon, OH and Daniel John Materna (Barbara) of Ellicott City, MD; sister-in-law Julia Wicker (Reid) of Jacksonville, FL; and nine adored nieces and nephews. David is also survived by his loving parents, Chester Joseph Materna and Evelyn June Raleigh.

David was truly loved by all those fortunate enough to have known him. He will be missed by all whose lives he touched. His spirit will live on in the hearts, stories and laughter of those who love him.

Family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Monday, November 1, 2010 at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 4115 Hendricks Avenue, with a vigil service at 6:00 PM. A celebration of life Mass will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 2, at Holy Family Catholic Church on Baymeadows Road, with Father Michael Larkin officiating. Internment at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Mandarin will follow.

The family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida or M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.