David Black

David Graham Black, Jr. of Pelham , NY , born in New York City , and departed Sunday, January 22, 2017 at the age of 93, for his final permanent fishing trip, leaving from Mount Vernon , NY . His wife, Elizabeth, was at his side. There will be two memorial celebrations of his life: the first at Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham , NY , on Saturday, March 25th, 2017, at 10:30am. The second will be at Geddie Memorial Church in Springbrook , PEI , Canada , on Saturday, August 5, 2017 at 2pm, during which his ashes will be interred. In lieu of flowers, donations to MIT will be greatly appreciated (details at bottom). The family wishes to express special gratitude to Jim Donahoe of Pelham , NY , for his extraordinary attention to Dad for the last several years which made a tremendous difference in Dad's life, helping him stay socially engaged.

Known as "Dave", he was a:

Woodworker
Well known among friends and family for his many wooden creations - bowls, lamps, platters, boxes, games, tools, decorations, toys, and marquetry.
This was a favorite hobby he practiced summer and winter in PEI and Pelham and had well equipped shops in each location.
Rotarian
District Governor for New York City , Westchester County NY , and Bermuda
Made contacts and friendships all over the world
Worked on Eradication of Polio project and got Polio reduced to being present in only two countries
Angler
One of the 'spiritual' leaders of the Anglers Club of NY - he was famous for his good spirits and hilarious joke telling, as well as his love of a good glass of spirits.
Victorious in the face of numerous Salmon Emergencies in New Brunswick and Quebec
Huguenot Memorial Church
Choir for many years, but never a soloist - he relied on others for cover
Deacon of the church
Sunday school teacher, mostly when James and Andy were in need of extra 'attention' (read 'a warden')
Saint Andrews Society of New York
President of the Society
'Spiritual' Leader - again with the Scotch and jokes!!
New York-ophile
Dad loved the hubbub and energy of the Big Apple.
Born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens , he spent most of his life in the NY City area.
He didn't hesitate to remind Andy when the Yankees beat the Red Sox.
PEI-ophile
Dad discovered Prince Edward Island , Canada , thru his uncle, and fell in love with it and later, one of its maidens.
He visited PEI well over 60 times from 1952 thru 2015 and was a summer resident in one of the most beautiful locations in the world.
Dad made countless friends among the locals and CFAs during his many visits, and stayed connected with many via phone or letter over the winter
Sailor & Traveler
Dad started sailing during university days at MIT in dinghies, eventually he owned a couple of larger sloops. He finished his sailing career by financially supporting and crewing on the Schooner Brilliant of Mystic, CT
He earned a Navigator certificate with top marks, and crewed on a passage of Brilliant from Nova Scotia to Mystic.
Dad traveled much of the world, from Spitsbergen to Antarctica and numerous points in between.
Gardener
Dad loved his rhododendrons and azaleas, as well as the vegetable garden.
Engineer, Inventor, Education Supporter
Earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from MIT
Started his career as an engineer for Bell Telephone, was Coordinator of Research at Brown University and finished as Senior Vice President of Research Corporation.
He worked with and supported inventors and researchers throughout his career.
Strong supporter of education. He donated scholarship money to others, and very generously to MIT for engineering education
Son, Husband, Brother, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather.
Dave was predeceased by his mother, Agnes Willard, his father David Graham Black, his brother Andrew Black, and his first wife Sheila Saxton Black (mother of Patricia, David, Bruce, and Doreen).
Dave is survived by:
His wife and love of 53 years, Mary Elizabeth Black (mother of Andrew and James) of Burlington , PEI
His brother Hector N. Black and Sisters-In-Law Elaine Black, Doris Williams, and Phelicia Johnstone.
Daughters Patricia I. Swift and Doreen S. Black, sons David G. Black III, Bruce W. Black, Andrew J. Black, and James M. Black, and daughters-in-law Liza Black, JoAnn Black, and Paula Black
Grandfather to 8.
Great Grandfather to 13.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the unrestricted scholarship fund "MIT Annual Fund", Cambridge , MA with a memo "David Graham Black, Jr." will be greatly appreciated.
Via internet at: https://giving.mit.edu/DavidBlack
Via US Mail at: MIT Annual Fund, 600 Memorial Drive , W98-200, Cambridge , MA 02139 -4822
Via Phone at: 617.253.8270