David A. Schofield

David A. Schofield, a resident of Eastham and Orleans collectively for 80 years, and of Harwich for nearly 5 years, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 27th at Cape Cod Hospital, at 84 years of age. He was 4 days shy of his 85th birthday.

A native Cape Codder, David was the son of the late Winford L. and Marjorie R. (Richardson) Schofield, the brother of the late Nancy L. Fadely (Schofield) and the late James L. Schofield and was a graduate of Orleans High School, Class of 1958.

David is lovingly survived by his wife, Maryrose (Reynolds) Schofield and was the cherished father of Kathleen Sawyer and her husband, Richard of Woburn, MA and Karen Littlefield and her husband, Brett of Orange, CA. David was predeceased by his son, William and his first wife, Joanne C. (Kindred) Schofield. David was the very special and proud “Papa” to Cody and Sara Littlefield of Orange, CA and Michael and Benjamin Sawyer of Woburn, MA. He also leaves behind 5 beloved nieces and 1 nephew.

David Schofield was a veteran having served in Vietnam with the US Navy as a Seabee, from 1961 to 1964. He was also very involved in the community demonstrated by his servant leadership activities. Throughout the course of his lifetime, he provided leadership in multiple roles. He was well known throughout town for his unmatched sense of humor and was an integral part of the community working as a Land Surveyor and Title (Deed) Researcher for Schofield Brothers Civil Engineering and Land Surveyors, Inc. His professional activities also involved service in professional organizations as well as his work as consultant and subject matter expert. He spent many years at the Registry of Deeds as a Title (Deed) Examiner and Researcher and was an expert witness for land court cases.

His years of service is outlined below:

Orleans Federated Church, 1948: Sunday School Teacher, 6 years, Deacon 6 years, choir member 25 years and several committees over the years.

Boys Scouts of America, 20 years total including service as a Sea Scouts Advisor.

Nauset DeMolay, 1954: Charter Member, Officer, 3 years, Advisor, 4 years.

Highlanders Inc., 1960 for 15 years: Corporation Director and Founder (participating in every role from backstage production to actor).

Orleans Rotary Club, 1966 for 11 years: Second Vice Chairman, 1 year, Board of Directors, 4 years and several years of multiple committees.

Town of Orleans, Orleans Planning Board 1968 for 6 years: Vice Chairman for 3 years and several committees including major zoning and subdivision bylaw revisions.

American Legion Post 308, 1979 for 37 years: Asst. Bookkeeper, 4 years and several committees

Keziah’s Lane Association, Inc. 1974 for 34 years: Corporation Founder, President, 2 years, Board of Directors, 25 years, Historian, 18 years, Bylaw Committee, 10 years.

Orleans Yacht Club, 1966 for 22 years: Commodore, 3 years, Vice Commodore, 2 years, Rear Commodore, 2 years, Board of Directors -Chairman, 3 years and several years of committee work.

Order of the Eastern Star, Orleans Chapter #201: Worthy Patron, 2 terms, Southern Matrons and Patrons Association, 15 years, service as an installing officer 15 times along with extensive committee work on local and state levels.

Rainbow Girls, Assembly #90 in the 1980’s: Advisory Board, 10 years, Dad Advisor, 6 years, Awarded Grand Cross of Color; The Grand Cross of Color is the highest award given to a member or adult leader for outstanding service.

Orleans-Eastham Elks #2572: 1987 for 38 years: Esquire, 2 years, Trustee, 12 years, Bingo and bookkeeping, 32 years, several other committees and service for charitable events for over 30 years

United States Navy, MCB 3 (Seabees) Veterans (Mobile Construction Battalion 3) Veterans: 1999 for 26 years: President, 4 years, Vice President, 2 years, Board of Directors, 8 years

VFW Post 9917, 2004 Proud participating member.

David was a long-standing member of Massachusetts Freemasons. He served in a multitude of roles and was a mentor and instructor to younger generations of Masons with some of his notable roles and achievements as follows:

Blue Lodge (Universal Lodge and Pilgrim Lodge): Joined in 1974, Master Mason and Past Master; District Deputy Grand Master (1987-1988), Awarded 50 year medal pin in 2025, 50 years of membership.

Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts, District Deputy Grand High Priest (Appointed by the Grand High Priest).

Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Massachusetts, Deputy Grand Master of the Royal & Select Master Masons Grand Council.

Cape Cod Commandre #54 Grand Warder ( appointed by the Grand Commander).

York Rite Sovereign College of North America, Awarded Order of the Purple Cross of York.

The Order of the Purple Cross of York, the highest honor of the College, is conferred upon those members of the College who have distinguished themselves by their service to humanity or to the Rite. (https://yrscna.org/about-yrsc/).

Remembrances may be made in David’s honor to The Genesis Foundation for Children, 60 Temple Place, 2nd Floor, Boston, MA 02111 (https://thegenesisfoundation.org/) or to The Grand Lodge Scholarship Program, Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, 186 Tremont Street Boston, MA 02111 (https://massfreemasonry.org/).