Father Joseph Richard David

Father Joseph Richard David, age 77 passed away Thursday, February 5, 2009 in his Rectory at St. George Maronite Catholic Church in Uniontown, PA. Fr. David was born December 31, 1931 in Massillon to the late Joseph & Marie (Tobia) David. Fr. David and his twin brother, Robert were the youngest of fourteen children. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters: Tofic David, Esser David, Edmund David, Paul David, Evelyn David, Elizabeth David, Josephine Castora, and Helen David. Dicky, as he was known to his family and friends growing up in Massillon, was a 1951 graduate of Washington High School. He entered the Army during the Korean Conflict and served from 1952 to 1954. He then worked at the former David Brothers Wholesale, Stark Record Service and as an electronic technician. Dicky was involved in the beginning of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joseph, and along with another member introduced the program to St. Mary’s Church, Massillon. In addition he was very active in the Cursillo Movement in Stark County; was active in the Bread of Life Movement in the Akron area. These religious experiences led him to become a Deacon at Our Lady of the Cedars Maronite Catholic Church in Akron. From this he chose to become a priest and entered the Our Lady of Lebanon Seminary in Washington DC in 1990. Fr. David was ordained to the Priesthood on November 27, 1993 at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in North Jackson, OH. He served as pastor at the following Maronite parishes: St. George, Wilkes-Barre, PA, St. John the Baptist, New Castle, PA, and went to St. George Church in Uniontown in 1998. Fr. David is survived by a sister, Isabelle George of Akron; brothers, Thomas David of North Carolina, John & Marci David, Raymond David, Robert & Carolyn David all of Massillon. Sisters in law: Genevieve David, Lou David and Carol David. The calling hours will take place a St. George Church, 6 Lebanon Terrace, Uniontown, PA on Monday, February 9, 2009, from 2 PM to 8 PM. Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10:30 AM with Bishop Gregory J. Mansour and Chorbishop Michael J. Thomas co-celebrants. Friends in the Massillon area may call Wednesday from 5-8 PM at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon. The Divine Liturgy of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Massillon. His final resting place will be St. Joseph Cemetery in Massillon. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Fr. Joseph R. David Memorial Fund c/o St. George Church, 6 Lebanon Ave., Uniontown, PA 15401 or St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Massillon. Messages of support and sympathy can be sent to the family at www.paquelet.com. Paquelet – Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home 330-833-3222