David G Dabrieo

He was born on October 19, 1936, into a large and loving family in Peabody, Massachusetts, the 9th child of 12 to Horace J. and Mary D. (Foley) Dabrieo. He graduated from Peabody High School in 1954, where he was very active in sports and student government, with ambitions to become an athletic coach. After high school, David served as an Artillery Survey Specialist with the Massachusetts National Guard Reserves from 1955 – 1960 and enrolled at Salem State College (FKA State Teachers College at Salem Massachusetts) in 1956. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree in education, David was a leader among his classmates, as an active member of Kappa Delta Phi and the basketball team for four years, a player on the college’s first soccer team for three years, serving as Co-captain in his senior year. The number of committees and activities in which he participated during those years is long and respectable, most notably serving as Class President of his junior and senior year. While his early years as an educator began on Long Island, New York, he traveled back to Salem during summers to further his education at Salem State. After completing his master’s degree in 1966, David spent the remainder of his teaching career at Horace Mann Elementary in Salem, on the campus of his alma mater. He hosted many student teachers in his classroom showing his commitment to the growth of young educators in Salem. Just three years before his retirement in 1998, David proudly accepted the position of principal at Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem. During his tenure as principal, David accepted Salem State College's prestigious Graduate School Award of Excellence in 1997.

In 2010, after the passing of his beloved partner, Judi Daly, David moved to Venice, Florida to be closer to his four children, Joanne Pulliam, Michael Dabrieo (Jennifer-deceased), Kathleen Cook (William-deceased), and Christine Miller. He is also survived by his sisters, Ellen Dabrieo, SND and Elizabeth Armstrong.

David was proud of his Irish heritage, often joining his college alumni in St. Patrick’s Day parades dawning his favorite green suspenders. He always routed for Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish and was an avid New England sports fan, as witnessed by the many hours he enjoyed watching games with his friends at clubs like The Peabody Elks, Venice Moose Lodge and Venice American Legion, where his big personality will surely be missed.

On July 26, 2025, at 10:30am, David will be laid to rest beside Judi at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, 226 North Street, Salem, Massachusetts after which the family will welcome loved ones to gather at The Danversport Yacht Club, 161 Elliot Street, Danvers, Massachusetts.