March 9, 1950- August 28, 2026
David L. Roberts, of Dedham, Massachusetts, passed away on August 28, 2026 following a courageous battle with leukemia.
Beloved husband of Gerri Roberts, his devoted partner throughout 48 years of marriage together. He was the proud father of Sean Roberts and his wife, Marybeth, of Lunenburg, and Caitlyn Roberts of Dedham. Dave took tremendous pride in his children and the lives they built. Dave was the brother of the late Kenneth Roberts, and the son of the late Edward and Eileen (Cannon) Roberts of Newton.
Dave was the incredibly proud grandfather of Evan and Makenzie, and beloved honorary “Grumpy” to Joleen, Norah, and Rose Gilligan, and Lauren, Veronica, and Keira Foley.
Dave spent his 30 year professional career in collegiate athletics, serving as Athletic Coordinator at Boston State College, which later became UMass Boston. His love of athletics and education would remain important to him throughout his life. As an avid sports fan, Dave felt a special connection to Hockey and the way it brought his family together. Sharing the love of the sport with his son and grandson, all 3 played hockey, but he shared the position of goalie with his grandson. Dave took incredible joy watching his granddaughter excel on the Lacrosse field. As proud of their athletic accomplishments as he was, he was even more proud of their academic success. His dedication to athletics was only matched by his passion for education and civic duty.
Dave’s dedication to the Town of Dedham spanned decades. His public service began on the Dedham School Building Rehab Committee before he was elected to the Dedham School Committee. He later joined the Dedham Finance Committee, where he proudly represented Precinct 3 for the last 15 years.
Education and the future of Dedham were especially important to Dave. He chaired the committees that helped bring both the Avery School and Dedham Middle School to life and was involved in efforts to renovate Dedham’s football field. He also served on the Town of Dedham Scholarship Committee, continuing his commitment to supporting Dedham’s young people. His more than 30 years of public service reflected how deeply he loved his town and the people who called it home.
When he wasn’t serving his community or proudly talking about his family, Dave could often be found tending to his garden, and then trekking dirt through Gerri’s kitchen, or spending time in Truro, a place that held a very special place in his heart. For Dave, there was nothing quite like being on the Cape, in a Cuffy’s sweatshirt with his wife enjoying a chowdah. Some of his fondest memories were made on deep sea fishing trips down the Cape with his son and nephews.
Dave’s life was rooted in family, community, education and service. His heart belonged to his family, to Truro, and to the Town of Dedham he so proudly served. His impact on the community he loved will remain for generations.
Visitation at the George F. Doherty & Sons Wilson-Cannon Funeral Home, 456 High St. Dedham on Wednesday, September 2, from 8-10am followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Dedham at 10:30am (accessible parking in the rear of the church). Relatives and friends kindly invited. Interment in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (dana-farber.org) in memory of David Roberts to support cancer research and patient care.
Throughout his battle with leukemia, Dave relied on the generosity of blood and platelet donors at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center for lifesaving transfusions that helped sustain him during treatment. His family will forever be grateful to the strangers whose donations gave Dave strength, time and precious additional moments with those he loved. In his memory, the family encourages anyone who is able to consider donating blood or platelets at the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Brigham and Women’s Hospital. For Dave’s family, there could be no more meaningful way to honor him than to give another patient and their family the same gift that was given to them.