David Philip Mack's Obituary
David Philip Mack left this life suddenly on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at the age of 82. A longtime resident of Lewes, DE and Washington D.C., David Mack was born in Busti, NY, the son of the late Philip and Catherine (Siggins) Mack.
David Mack was a wise and compassionate man, devoted husband and father, a good friend to many, a teacher and mentor, a man with a spirited curiosity who loved to read, explore, fix things that were broken or invent things that were not. He moved easily from one project to the next, always surprising people with the depth and range of his knowledge and skills. He especially loved listening and learning from his children and grandchildren of whom he was very proud. He had a calm way about him that instantly attracted anyone to him and made them feel his warmth and compassion, and the gentleness of his heart. No matter what David Mack was doing, anyone could always count on him to be a genuine listener and teacher for whatever their day may have presented to them.
In all of David Mack’s accomplishments throughout his life journey, one of his most treasured was meeting the love of his life and best friend, Eunice. Together they enjoyed countless adventures and ordinary life pleasures, including frequent trips to the hardware store for his projects. The love and happiness they shared with each other and their family and friends was the defining element in their life together.
David Mack was an educator who believed that schools could be better places for students and teachers to be. He was a minister, teacher, principal, state planner, and the director of a major national effort to develop states’ capacity to use research-based information in school improvement efforts. His proudest achievements were: working with a Bureau of Indian Affairs and Tribally Controlled Schools Task Force to develop school funding formulas that introduced greater access and equity in schooling for poor children; and working with his wife, Eunice, to establish the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board and manage its first two competitions. More recently, he authored Mabel’s Journey, the story of his grandmother and a tale of immigrant experience and the American spirit.
Though David Mack leaves his family, friends, and community behind, they all know without a doubt, his legacy will live on forever as they continue to honor his life each and every day.
David Mack is survived by his wife, Eunice E. Henderson; two sons: Geoffrey Mack and his wife Kathy of Manassas, VA and Peter J. Mack and his wife Penny of Long Island, NY; three daughters: Beth Mack and her husband Chris Ammons of Harpers Ferry, WV, Jennifer Hill and her husband Paul of Front Royal, VA and Marcella René Turk of Princeton, NJ; one brother, Jerold Mack and his wife Pat of Gilbert, AZ; one sister, Linda West and her husband Gary of Sugar Grove, PA; and six grandchildren: Jarred Hill and his wife Kat Wallace, Corbin Mack, Kayla Mack-Ammons, David Mack, Thomas Mack, and Jordan Mack. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancye Neathery Halm.
A Celebration of the life of David Philip Mack will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2013 at 11:00am in Friends Meeting House at 2111 Florida Avenue, NW in Washington, DC. Doors will be open at 10:00am. Arrangements are being handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of David Philip Mack to The Fresh Air Fund, 633 Third Avenue, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Please sign his online guestbook on this page.
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