David G. Decelles, 66, of Worcester, died peacefully on Thursday March 8th in the Golden Living Center Hermitage, surrounded by his family after a long battle with a rare form of dementia.
Dave is survived by his two daughters, Jennifer Burton and her husband Colin and Heather Shaw and her husband David all of Rutland; two brothers, Robert Decelles and his wife Candice Porter of Canton, MA and Donald Decelles of Manchester, NH; a sister, Marie Arakelian and her husband Jack of Worcester, who was like a third brother to David, and a special nephew Matthew Arakelian; five grandchildren, Jimmy and Maggie Burton and Brendan, Brian and Kevin Shaw, all of Rutland as well as two nieces.
Dave was born in Worcester, son of the late George J. and Anne M. (Lyons) Decelles and graduated from both South High School and Worcester Junior College. He served 4 years in the United States Navy.
Dave proudly worked for the City of Worcester as a Police Officer for 27 years, notably with service in the domestic violence unit, retiring in 2004. He was a member of Our Lady of the Angels Church and the Worcester Police Patrolman Union IBPO Local 378.
His family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff at Tatnuck Park and especially to Jason McCann for the extraordinary kindness and care shown to him over the last two years. A special thanks also to the staff at the Hermitage as well as The Compassionate Care Hospice for all they did
for him.
Dave loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them, whether it was playing golf with his brothers or being with his girls and grandchildren. His bond with his sister was special and sustaining. Dave taught his family so much about spirit, courage and dignity during his battle with dementia. He also had a special love for his dog Dolly, who gave him comfort in his last years.
The funeral will be held on Monday March 12th with a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00pm in Our Lady of the Angels Church 1222 Main St., Worcester. Burial with military honors will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 11th from 5-7 pm. in the Alfred Roy and Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions in Mr. Decelles' name may be made to the Daybreak Program for Domestic Violence Victims at YWCA Central MA Daybreak, PO Box 3093, Worcester MA 01613.
To share a memory of Mr. Decelles with his family please visit www.Royfuneral.com