Obituary

David Joseph Vieira (September 18, 1950 - July 10, 2022)

Born in New Bedford Massachusetts and lived in Hyde Park for most of his life. Predeceased by his parent, and his partner, James Winkler (1950-2000).

David had a variety of careers: Finance, Hospitality, Retail, Government, Real Estate and more. His great passions were libraries, sailing, community engagement and caring for his mother, Marion Vieira. For forty years David had a strong connection to the Friends of the Hyde Park Library and later to the Citywide Friends of the Boston Public Library where he was president for many years before becoming the Branch Liaison to library Friends groups. Even with progressing visual impairment he would use public transportation throughout the city and state. David sailed for more than half his life and co-founded Boston Blind Sailing Inc.

David loved a bargain. He shopped for dress shirts in the old Filene’s basement, discovered never used men’s shoes in a Martha’s Vineyard thrift shop and found bottles of Himalayan pink salt at the dollar store. He could stretch a dollar like no one else.

In his later years after losing most of his vision, he found new ways to navigate the world. He learned how to use his “blind guy stick,” listened to books on his phone and learned how to dictate text to write emails. He also enjoyed early morning bird songs at the Readville train station and was able to continue his love of sailing by having a sighted person on board to guide him. Despite his vision loss, he could still see fluffy clouds against a clear blue sky and declare it a “fluffy cloud day.” Next time you see some big white clouds against a blue sky, think of David.

A memorial service is planned for Friday, September 16, 2022, 11:00AM, at the Forsyth Memorial Chapel, Forest Hills Cemetery, 95 Forest Hill Avenue, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. Reception to follow in Hyde Park.

To recognize David’s impact on the community, a donation can be made to Community Boating, 21 David G. Mugar Way, Boston, MA 02114, The Friends of the Hyde Park Library, 35 Harvard Avenue, Hyde Park, MA 02136, or The Citywide Friends of the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston 02116.

Directions to Funeral Home