David Harland Fesette

David Fesette, lifelong resident of Concord, NH, died at his home on September 4, 2024, at the age of 83, surrounded by his loving, grateful family.

David was born to Raelene (Pepler) and Raymond Fesette on July 14, 1941. His father left David, his mother, and younger disabled brother, Jack, at a young age, an act which formed David’s deep-rooted sense of justice and empathy, focused especially on women and people facing struggles in life. His father’s actions created a boy, and then a man—unusual for his generation—who was a fierce feminist and liberal; a quiet, deeply moral, and generous man.

David’s grandparents, Sadie (Currier) and John Pepler, were important in the lives of David and his brother, who had an intellectual disability. Their mother desperately worried that her younger son would end up in a nightmarish care facility. David, from a young age, took on responsibility to make sure that would not be his brother’s fate. Thankfully, Jack was able to live the entirety of his life in the care of his family.

Early in his marriage, David worked as a barber alongside his father-in-law, George Kalajian, before eventually moving into sales with American Tobacco Company, and other companies. Not possessing the prototypical characteristics of a salesperson, his customers responded to his quiet, unpretentious, and fair-minded manner so positively that his boss called him the best salesman in the company. He served in the Army National Guard during the Vietnam era.

David worked incredibly hard to support his family, maintaining two houses, one for his wife and kids, and another for his mother and brother. He diligently preserved his homes, showing incredible attention to detail and ingenuity. Mostly self-taught, his work was solid and functional.

David was predeceased by his awesome son, Mark Fesette, his mother, brother, and grandparents.

After the passing of his mother and brother, David and Patty did a significant amount of traveling. David enjoyed researching and planning the trips almost as much as the trips themselves. The Fesettes visited Great Britain many times, Canada, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, Croatia, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, and Russia, amongst other destinations, foreign and domestic.

David and his wife were supporters of the arts, enjoying many shows at the Capitol Center for the Arts and The Palace Theatre. He was a HUGE fan of the BeeGees from their earliest releases, recognized with loving ridicule by his family for his tendency to sing old BeeGees tunes loudly and out of tune while wearing his big, 70s-style headphones. Classic David, ‘til the end, recycling the iPod gifted from his son to his granddaughter and eventually to him, leaving it plugged in in the HRV year-round, playing his playlist in perpetuity.

David’s greatest pride and joy was his only grandchild, Olivia. Olivia was recognized for her kindness, high character, and musical ability (the area in which she departed from her grandfather) from elementary school on. David and his wife helped their daughter provide Olivia with the education they believed would provide her with the best foundation in life, from kindergarten through grad school. With their support, Olivia achieved her goal of becoming a speech-language pathologist. His pride was quiet but unending. His life ended knowing that she had found a worthy man who recognizes her for the exceptional person she is in Dylan Cassidy. He approves.

His own interests included stock trading, astronomy, history, science in general, and politics, though he finally gave up on it on an involved level for his own sanity: his personal, intense empathy of what single women endure implored him to drive by anti-choice protestors at the Concord Feminist Health Center and tell them to get a life, though perhaps in more colorful language. His early life had given him a clear understanding of what single parenthood, limitations on reproductive choice, and abrogation of male parental responsibility entailed, and he was not afraid to speak up about it. He is a hero to the women in his life for his unusually empathic take on things. He was also a devoted New England sports fan. We’re so glad he was able to witness the most recent championship season of the Celtics and, perhaps mercifully, that he is missing the expected-to-be-poor upcoming Patriots season. As his health worsened, he satisfied his still curious mind by watching woodworking and science videos on YouTube. He curated his own best movie list, which his family is making their way through. All of his recommendations have been stellar, thus far.

A notoriously picky eater, David and Patty had many wonderful meals at the Red Blazer and loved getting to know the staff there over the years. He also loved his weekly hot dog from Gretchen at Puppy Love.

David was an exceptionally curious person. He probably would have never stated any regrets, but his daughter wishes she had taken him skydiving (she chickened-out) and that she had taken him to see the aurora borealis. Sorry, Dad, I’ll make it up to you on the other side if I can.

His presence is mourned by his high school sweetheart, perfect match, and beloved wife of 62 years, Patricia (Kalajian) Fesette, his grateful daughter, Karrie Fesette, adored granddaughter, Olivia Harding, and his granddaughter’s partner, Dylan Cassidy, cousin Bill Welcome and his wife, Pam, and sister-in-law Brenda Henley and her family.

Superman references were always made in complete seriousness. His family is glad that his suffering is over, as it was difficult for such an active, driven person to face the limitations that long COVID and chronic lymphocytic leukemia eventually presented him with. He will forever be missed. And it’s really unfortunate that he didn’t live long enough to see the election of President Kamala Harris, though he had no doubt it would happen. Being present for the arrival of any great grandchildren would have been even more awesome!

Thank you to the many kind neighbors on Harvard Street who were always willing to help out, and to the healthcare providers who cared for him in the last years of his life, especially Dr. Patrick Fox, massage therapist Suzanne Plante, and the team at Bayada Hospice, who made sure he was comfortable in his final days..

There will be no services, per David’s wishes. In his memory, take good care of your loved ones. Always recognize where someone is coming from before making judgment. In lieu of flowers, donations to a charity of your choice would be appreciated.