David A. Lacatell

On June 26th, 2022, David Allan Lacatell died peacefully in Wayland, Massachusetts. David was born in Washington D.C. on July 9th, 1947. He was a long-time resident of Hingham, Massachusetts and dearly loved husband, father, grandfather, educator and friend. David leaves behind a legacy of laughter, adventures in nature, the gift of teaching and love of family. 

David graduated from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School (New Jersey) in 1965, having attended Hingham High School for two years. He excelled in tennis, basketball and cross country. He graduated from Grove City College in 1969 with a B.A. in Political Science and earned a Masters in Education from Antioch College.

David was an actor at heart, and took center stage in his personal and professional life. In front of crowds small and large, and behind the scenes, David enjoyed the power of theater to entertain and change peoples' lives for the better. David played significant roles as a producer and set designer for the Hingham High School Drama Club and Hingham Civic Music Theater. He is well remembered for the role he was made for as John Adams in the production of “1776.” He had a powerful voice and the rare ability to memorize long sets of lines. 

As a respected and beloved teacher at Hingham High School for 34 years, David used his generous comedic skills to educate countless students on difficult topics of international policy and politics. He will be remembered for leading student trips to New York City to encourage students' love of theater and global affairs. David travelled to Russia and Yugoslavia to improve his understanding of the subjects he taught. His colleagues at Hingham High School will remember his ability to command a classroom, and for unforgettable golf trips to Lake Morey, Vermont. He loved Vermont. 

David was married to Kate Kersey Lacatell for 40 years, living in Hingham, Hanover and Weymouth. David and Kate enjoyed traveling abroad together, with memorable trips to Ireland and Italy. Together they raised three English Setters, Chessy, Lily and Chloe

The family is particularly grateful to Kate for the years of love and care she gave to David, particularly in his last years as he battled dementia. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard Franklin Lacatell and Dorothy Rathbun Lacatell,and his brother Thomas Andrew Lacatell. David leaves behind his brother Richard E. Lacatell and sister-in-law Joyce Lacatell. David was a father to two sons, Andrew David Lacatell (Richmond, Virginia) and Marc William Lacatell (Newton, Massachusetts). His two daughters-in-law, Ann-Janette McEntire Lacatell and Janna Lynn Lacatell, will miss their larger-than-life father-in-law. David was also loved by four grandchildren; Noah David Lacatell, Sophia Grace Lacatell, Kristian William Lacatell and Halen Richard Lacatell. David was a favorite uncle to Karen and Jeffrey Lacatell, niece and nephew, respectively. 

Having never passed up a cool, freshwater pond in his adventures, his family imagines he's enjoying a never-ending paddle in his canoe with multiple stops for long swims along the way.  

A celebration of David’s life will be held on Saturday, September 10 from 1-4 PM at 2 Bayview Avenue (Crow Point), Hingham MA 02043.

Memorial gifts in David’s memory may be donated to Hingham High School Drama Club, Hingham High School, 17 Union Street, Hingham, MA 02043, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011, or to a charity of your choice.

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