David Paul Scarpaci, 1940-2019

He was born Jan. 17, 1940, in Warren, where he grew up the grandson of Sicilian immigrants, in the heart of American steel country.

He met Virginia “Ginny” Walker at age 16, when he was invited to church camp by a friend. He would spend his summers delivering milk for the family business and would always make sure to pass by Virginia’s house where she would often be sitting on the front porch with her younger brother, Al. Dave would always stay and chat awhile and would give away one of his “broken” popsicles to her little brother.

Dave went on to receive a bachelor’s degree from Ohio University. After graduating, he became a math teacher back in Warren and shortly after he married Virginia, and they started a family. It was only a few short years later that they found themselves packing up and moving to Warren, Mich., headed toward new opportunities in the Motor City.

Dave and Ginny created a community wherever they went. Their neighbors in Warren, Mich., soon became like family and would remain so for the rest of their lives. Dave loved boats and cars, which made working for General Motors and EDS, from which he would eventually retire, a perfect fit.

Not your typical grandfather, he loved learning about new technology and was able to fix any trinket and solve any problem. He was frequently enlisted to help his grandchildren with their math homework and loved to take trips on his boat or travel the country in an RV with Ginny.

Fort Myers, Fla., was Dave and Ginny’s second home. Dave was a fixture in their retirement community, the Groves, where he helped manage the front office. He could often be seen riding around on his golf cart, spending time with friends at one of their many potluck dinners or grabbing a burger with Ginny at their favorite restaurant, Nick and Stella’s.

For 56 wonderful years, he was the beloved husband of the late Virginia Scarpaci and was the ever-supportive father of Christine (Don), Denise (Mark) and Jennifer (Doug). He was the doting grandfather of Stephanie (Steve), David (CJ), Cory, Jenna, Jared, Hannah, Josh, Ella and Trey; and the great-grandfather of Skyler, Easton, Nolan and Olive. He also will be a deeply missed by brother-in-law, Al Novak; and father-in-law, J.W. Novak.

Dave’s life was full of adventure, love and living to the fullest. He was the smart and stoic anchor of his family and he will be deeply missed and forever loved.

A funeral service has taken place with arrangements at A.H. Peters Funeral Home, Warren, Mich.

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