NAUGATUCK — David R. Macharelli Sr., 75, passed away at his home on Friday, Aug. 2, 2024. He was the loving husband of Patricia (Verbickas) Macharelli for 51 years.
David was born in Waterbury on July 21, 1949, the son of the late Alphonse A. and Catherine “Kitty” (Guerrera) Macharelli. A graduate of Cheshire Academy, class of 1967, David earned a B.A. in education and science from Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, where he also excelled at baseball, and a master’s in education from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven.
David was an educator with the City of Waterbury, serving as a teacher and principal and was president of the administrators’ union. He served his country honorably as a sergeant in the U.S. Army National Guard.
A member of the Waterbury Boys Club Hall of Fame, David was defined by a passion for sports. Baseball was his best where he was a player, coach, and umpire. As a basketball referee, he was named a Connecticut and National Basketball Official of the Year, was the head official for 14 consecutive state championship games, was president of the Connecticut Basketball Officials, officiating thousands of games at the high school and college level.
He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees, bringing friends and family on countless pilgrimages to Yankee Stadium. He loved the arts, performing in plays at the schools he worked in and admiring them on Broadway. He took great pride in passing these interests to his children.
Besides his wife Patricia, he leaves his four children, David R. Macharelli Jr. and his wife Shannon Sniffin, of Waterbury, Steven Macharelli and his wife Nicole, of Watertown, Krista Colavito and her partner Mark Esposito, of Waterbury, and Kara Poulter and her husband Craig, of Waterbury.
His three loving grandchildren, Carmen Colavito, Logan and Aubrey Poulter, were the lights of his life.
A funeral service for David was to be at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 14, at Chase Parkway Memorial/The Albini Family Funeral Home, 430 Chase Parkway, Waterbury. Entombment was to follow at Calvary Queen of Peace Mausoleum, Waterbury. Calling hours were to be Tuesday, Aug. 13, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in David’s memory to: Connecticut Community Foundation, 43 Field St., Waterbury, CT 06702; or Info@conncf.org.
For more info or to send e-condolences, visit chaseparkwaymemorial.com.
