David P. Rice,

David P. Rice, PE, 89, of East Hartford, loving husband for over 61 years of Loretta P. (DelCanto) Rice, passed away peacefully with his caring family by his side on Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at his home. Born in Hartford on May 2, 1927, a son of the late Anna (McNeil) Rice and David P. Rice, Sr., he had been a resident of East Hartford for the past 59 years. He graduated from Weaver High School in Hartford, Class of 1946 and Marc A. Porter School. Dave was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II where he was part of the commission crew of the U.S.S. Midway and a Plank Owner. During the war, he was involved with Operation Frostbite with extremely cold weather and high winds. Dave earned his Professional Engineer certification on May 1, 1972 in Boston and was a Certified Safety Professional and member of the Society Fire Protection Engineers. During his career, he worked for the former Industrial Risk Insurers, Hartford for 41 years with whom he inspected Industrial Plants and Nuclear facilities.

Dave was a talented athlete and starred in high school running track & field, in the 100, 220, and 440 yard dashes, running cross-country, and playing basketball, including the honor of playing at the Boston Garden. He was an avid good golfer who played for many years and participated in several area leagues at Blackledge Country Club, Hebron and the East Hartford Golf Course. Dave was also a dedicated and loyal fan of the UCONN Women’s Basketball teams and his beloved Boston Red Sox. A devout catholic, Dave was an active communicant of Our Lady of Peace Church, East Hartford and a member of the church Retiree’s Club. Most of all, Dave was a true gentleman, devoted husband, father, proud grandfather and great-grandfather who loved being with his family and supporting them at their sporting events and school activities.

Along with his devoted wife Loretta of East Hartford, Dave is survived by three daughters, Madeline A. Bacon and her husband Jim of Londonderry, NH, Patricia M. Doty and her husband Ray of Lawton, OK, Ann Marie Marino of Glastonbury; a son, David Rice and his wife Mary Frances of Bristol; ten special grandchildren, Captain Melanie West and her husband Captain Zach West, Lisa Williams, Michael Shane Marino, Brian Williams and Yolimar Rivera, James Bacon and his wife Katie, Devon Marino and Kyra Bernard, Jeff Bacon, Cody Marino, Denae Addington and her husband Jonathan, Tanner Doty; and ten adored great-grandchildren, Elijah, Meila, Jack, Jonathan, James, Micah, Caleb, Molly, Natalie, and Max. He also leaves a sister-in-law, Mary Bridget (Donovan) Rice of East Hartford; a dear great-nephew who was like a grandson, CPL Timothy Rice and his wife Sarah; several additional nieces, nephews, and beloved friends. Besides his parents, Dave was predeceased by his two brothers, John Thomas Rice and Robert Joseph Rice both of East Hartford.

Funeral service will be Friday (August 26, 2016) with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 12:30 pm at Our Lady of Peace Church, May Road/Brandon Road, East Hartford. Everyone is asked to please go directly to the church on Friday afternoon. Burial with military honors will follow at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. Relatives and friends may call at the D’Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford on Thursday (August 25, 2016) from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in David’s name may be made to First Tee of CT, 55 Golf Club Road, Cromwell, CT 06416 or to Hartford Healthcare at Home-Hospice Division, 1 North Western Drive, Bloomfield, CT 06002. David’s family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the hospice care-givers (Eve, Lennox, and Donna) for their professionalism, care, compassion, and love given to David and his entire family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com.