David Arthur Doremus

David Arthur Doremus, born June 7, 1941, passed away peacefully on July 8, 2022, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Manchester, Connecticut, he was the son of Milton Doremus and Catherine Norris Doremus of Manchester. A graduate of Manchester High School, Boston University and Williams College School of Banking.

David began his career in lending and finance at Hartford National Bank. After many years in banking, he made the courageous decision to follow his passion, go out on his own, and start a real estate and construction business. He would ultimately become a successful real estate broker and custom home builder. His successful career in construction awarded him numerous friendships with contractors and colleagues. In his later years, he went to work consulting at Windham Sand & Stone and Builder’s Concrete.

As a lifelong resident of Manchester, he had many enduring friendships, too numerous to count. Throughout his long and full life, he was a member of the Elks Club, British American Club, Manchester Country Club and served on various boards and committees. He loved to play golf, afternoon card games with his buddies at Manchester Country Club, shoot pool, ride his Harley Davidson, drive his numerous Corvettes throughout the years, including his prized 64’ Stingray. He had a passion and respect for the ocean and owned several boats, including a Hatteras Sport Fisherman, which he docked at a slip at Mystic River Marina on Mason’s Island. He enjoyed weekend trips on the water throughout New England with his family and friends. In his later years, he traded his boat to build a home on Martha’s Vineyard to create a place for his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren to enjoy their summers. He was the epitome of ‘cool’ and one of the most poised, measured, and classiest people on the planet.

He married the love of his life, Anne Carey Doremus, on February 8, 1964, immediately being welcomed into Anne’s clan of 12 Irish aunts and uncles and their many children, who were such a presence in his life. He and Anne travelled the world together, often returning to their favorite city of Paris.

David and Anne raised two daughters, Trace and Susan, in Manchester. Through his gentle guidance, he always believed they were capable of anything. He taught them how to drive lawn tractors, play basketball in the driveway, pilot, dock and secure lines on his boats. He was always in the front row of their dance and piano recitals, and his daughters never questioned that they were his number one priority in life. His daughters love him more than anything.

As his daughters met and married, he welcomed, as his own, two incredible sons-in-law, Matthew Maulucci and Steven D’Amico, who became his fishing buddies, golf partners, NASCAR race companions, personal mechanics, handymen, and best friends.

His pride and joy was being involved, on a daily basis, in the lives of his five grandchildren from the day each of them were born, to the day he passed: Jason David Maulucci, Jonathan V. Maulucci, Joseph M. Maulucci, Jordan A. D’Amico and Andrew David D’Amico. He was a role model and always present for them, traveling with them across the country, attending their games, school concerts and talking with them every single day.

David is predeceased by his beloved parents and grandparents. He his survived by his brother, Milton, sister Janet, wife Anne, daughters Trace and Susan, sons-in-law Matt and Steve, and grandchildren Jason, Jonathan, Jordan, Joseph, and Andrew.

Somewhere, in a place not so far away, his beloved parents and grandparents are taking him and his siblings to the beach; he’s riding his Harley to the club to play pool with his friends; he’s setting sail from the Mystic River to Block Island with his wife and daughters; he’s pulling into the park in his Corvette to watch his grandchildren play a game; he’s on a plane for Europe with Anne; he’s on Martha’s Vineyard with his whole family. He is in a better place.

Calling hours will be on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Watkins/Manchester  Funeral Home 142 East Center Street, Manchester, CT  between 5:00pm and 8:00pm.  A private family memorial will be held at a later date.

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