Dave Singleton was born on February 20, 1962 in Boston and lived his life in Manchester by the Sea. He was a graduate of the Class of 1980 and was a member of the Hornets football and baseball teams. He later attended UMass Amherst and Salem State and graduated from Wentworth Institute in 1985 where he studied plumbing. Dave passed away at Beverly Hospital on Nov. 18.
A “townie” through and through - he loved Manchester and its people. He especially enjoyed the 4th of July celebration and would often enter a float in the parade, or just enjoy the festivities from his parents’ house on Pine St with dozens of family and friends. He could be found organizing and volunteering at town traditions such as the Red, White and Blue breakfast, the Holiday Strolls and Manchester-Essex Rotary Auctions.
Dave was the third-generation owner of David R. Singleton Plumbing and Heating which was founded by his grandfather in 1934 and expanded by Dave and his father Bob through the years. He also worked for Steven P. O’Brien Plumbing and most recently for Addario Plumbing and Heating in Woburn.
In his prime, Dave served as President of the North Shore Plumbing and Heating Association, the Massachusetts Plumbing Heating and Cooling Association and the Manchester-Essex Rotary. He contributed articles to various trade journals and travelled around the country and parts of Europe to attend trade shows and train on the latest plumbing and heating techniques. He was very proud to be named the 2011 Small Business Person of the Year for Manchester by the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce.
An avid Boston sports fan, he followed all the local teams since childhood and he often said that Red Sox opening day was his favorite day of the year. He loved to meet his friends at Manchester’s 7Central and was always part of the “football squares” under his code name X-14. His sense of humor and sharp wit will be greatly missed by all. He was a kind and generous soul with a heart of gold.
Dave leaves his parents, Robert and Mildred Singleton, his sister and brother-in-law MaryAnn Carr and Gregg Genis, his niece Anny Carr and his nephews Alex and Chris Carr. He also leaves many aunts and uncles; Richard and Priscilla Singleton of Manchester, MA, Pat McManus of Old Saybrook, CT, Bette and Warren Anderson of Danvers, MA, Helen and Nepo Trepanier of Hamilton MA, Harold and Helen Wortman of Hamilton, Ont, Eva Ropp of Drayton,Ont, Doug and Dawn Wortman of Sussex NB and dozens of cousins here in New England and in New Brunswick and Ontario Canada. He was predeceased by his grandparents,
David and Mary Singleton of Manchester, Sam and Della Wortman of Sussex, NB, as well as many beloved aunts and uncles.
The burial will be private, and in the absence of a formal wake, the family welcomes your stories and memories of Dave to be sent to his parents, Bob and Millie Singleton 301 Brooksby Village Drive, Unit 310, Peabody, MA 01960. We hope to hold a celebration of life when it is safe to gather again. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to one of Dave’s favorite charities: The Manchester-Essex Rotary Scholarship or Cape Ann Animal Aid where he got his dog Darby. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
