Woonsocket was home for David Mencarini, and certain enough Dave cared about his home. Everyone in Woonsocket was Dave’s neighbor. You could find Dave serving his neighbors through his professional capacity, attending community events, supporting veterans, being a presence at social clubs or comforting those who have lost a loved one. David Mencarini saw to it that he cared for the place he called home.
David P. Mencarini, Sr., 81, of Woonsocket passed away peacefully surrounded by the love of his family on Saturday morning February 22, 2025 at home. Dave passed after a courageous battle for the past several years with cancer. David was determined to fight off his illness and he did so successfully for the past several years. David lived out his days with purpose, positivity and his cheerful smile as his guide.
David was the loving husband of Marie “Fran” (Tancrede) Mencarini. Fran and David found each other later in life and built a loving home together for the past number of years.
David Paul Mencarini was born and raised in Woonsocket a son of the late Americo and Pauline (LaRochelle) Mencarini. David attended Woonsocket schools and Johnson and Wales University.
As a young man David set out to “see the world” courtesy of Uncle Sam as a member of the United States Navy. It was in the Navy he mastered the skills of radio and communications technician vital to carrying out the mission of ships at sea. He could even send and received Morse Code via lamp signal in choppy seas at night. David’s tour of service and ports of call would be the basis for his memories and his support and concern for our veterans.
Upon his honorable discharge David returned to his roots in Woonsocket and put down roots of his own. Woonsocket would be David’s “Forever Home”.
In his younger years David worked locally at Tupperware. He also worked for several large construction firms and was involved in many projects including some of the iconic Boston landmarks of the late 1960s and 1970s. The Prudential tower and John Hancock building are among the notable buildings that dot Beantown, and a number of projects right here in the Ocean State, with which David was involved.
David’s later professional career would see him become the Chief Operating Officer of the ARC of Northern Rhode Island/ RI ARC. It was there he worked alongside Jerry Ventry and the staff as they served the clients who benefited from the mission of the organization.
David never truly retired. After his more than 35 years as an integral part of the ARC he embarked on his “capstone career” as a professional assistant for several local funeral homes. David’s calm and soothing presence was recognizable and he found satisfaction in assisting in caring for the bereaved while being a comforting presence at wakes and funerals. Interestingly enough David’s maternal grandfather, his Pepere LaRochelle was a local Woonsocket funeral director and livery provider in the early-to-mid-1900s, a connection David found appropriately coincidental.
David was equally proud of his Italian and French-Canadian ancestry and covered both bases of his heritage as a member of the Italian Workingman’s Club and the Cercle Laurier. He served as the president of the Bocce League (having taken over that position from the league founder Charlie Baldelli) where he played the game, brought by his Italian forbearers, on warm summer evenings. Other times would find him out on the golf course or participating in bowling league with Frannie.
David was intensely proud of his son David, II. and when his namesake followed his dad’s footsteps into the Navy, David got to experience a memorable occasion when he accompanied his son on a submarine as it made its descent into the ocean depths.
David was a man of varied interests and curiosity including keeping up with current events and learning more about his faith.
In addition to his wife Fran, David is survived by his son David P. Mencarini,II. and his wife Melissa of Minnesota. He was the proud grandfather of Marcellus and Sasha and was blessed to welcome his great- granddaughter Isabella just two months ago. David was the brother of Richard Mencarini and his wife Marcia of North Attleboro, Roger Mencarini and his wife Denise of North Smithfield, Natalie Robitaille and her husband Richard of North Scituate and Barbara Mencarini of North Smithfield. David is also survived by Fran’s family including her sons Richard McCabe of Woonsocket, Mark Cornell of Florida and Thomas McCabe and his wife Devonie of PA., and Fran’s grandchildren Aowyn, Richard, Marshall, Luci and Jack. David is also survived by his extended family of nieces nephews and cousins.
Everyone is invited to gather to honor, remember and pray for David at his funeral Thursday February 27th at 9:00 am from the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave. Woonsocket followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am in Divine Mercy Parish at St Paul’s Church in Blackstone. David will be laid to rest with military honors at St. Jean Baptiste Cemetery in Bellingham. Visiting hours are Wednesday from 4-7 pm.
www.menardfuneralhome.com