Our dearly beloved Dave Fayette, 70, left us on Thursday,
September 29, 2016. He was born on October 22, 1945, to Ellen
and Frederick J. Fayette Sr. — sixth child in a loving family of
11.
Dave was a graduate of Rice Memorial High and the University of Vermont, which he followed with service in the United States Army. He and his brother Fred owned and operated Marble Island Resort in Colchester from 1972 to 1987.
It’s hard to sum up the life of a legend, and to his family and countless friends that’s what he is … But here goes:
He did it “his way” always, and made sure you thought he was
doing it your way! With unforgettable charisma and charm, he made everyone smile and feel welcome. A better listener and sounding board could not be found. Principled, considerate, kind, caring and extremely intelligent are just the beginning.
A more interesting life would be difficult to imagine, with
occupations ranging from the military, professional-caliber golfer and pool player, chef, private investigator, expert negotiator, business owner, stock market savant, and computer technician, to name a few. An avid Dodgers, Giants and Celtics fan and a political enthusiast throughout his life.
Eccentric? Shooting a subpar round in sneakers duct-taped
together, using 30-year-old clubs and reminding us after each
birdie that he won’t be satisfied until he fixes his swing. To plan something a week out was impossible, but to do anything spur of the moment was expected.
His sense of humor was always present, with laughter coming
easily. Ribbing his friends, setting hooks to see who’d bite and
reveling in the story. There was no one better to hang out with or confide in, and he always put others before himself. He’ll always be remembered for his kindness, inviting personality and
humanity.
He spent the final 20 years of his life dedicating all his time to his “Savannah Kids” project. Rebuilding and installing computers (597) for inner-city kids who could not afford them was just the beginning. He gave up everything, most importantly his time, to serve as mentor, tutor, protector, role model and father figure for those in need. His devotion to the families became legendary, and he was known affectionately as “Mr. Dave” throughout Savannah.
Dave’s return home to Vermont in July was a gift to all of us as we gathered together to help him on his final journey. There was much laughter, good food, stimulating conversations, many
outings to various homes and nostalgic visits to special places.
But he glowed with the love-filled visits with his siblings,
nephews, nieces and cousins.
He leaves his siblings and their spouses: Teresa and Vince Wall, Kathy and Walter Baumann, Fred Fayette and Susan Walter, Amy Tarrant, Marilyn Larkin, Karen Fayette, Diane Fayette, Linda
Fayette, Peter and Sandra Fayette, Jay and Susan Fayette and
“adopted” sister, Susan Shaw; as well as many adoring nephews, nieces and loyal cousins.
The family would like to thank the medical team at the University of Vermont Medical Center. And how can we ever thank the Allenwood staff enough for the amazing care of Dave throughout the summer? He really loved it there, and that made his return home complete.
A private family celebration of his life was held on Saturday,
October 1, 2016.
This article appears in Oct 12-18, 2016.
I just feel like my heart was torn into a million pieces.. & I dont know what it will take to put it back together. Mr. Dave was my friend. I am so hurt & so saddened by this news. When we last spoke, I got to tell him thank you & that I love him. But, it doesn’t hurt any less. I miss my friend.. My condolences.
With tears,
Misty
Today you would have been 71 .. Oh, Mr. Dave.. I can barely type, let alone think of you, without crying.. I am so glad that God allowed you into my life.. You were a great man!! A girl could only wish for a father, a goddad, made like you. I have so much that I want to say.. & I will. But, for now, Happy Birthday my Angel! I will forever love & cherish every memory of you. Forever in my heart. Forever missed… Rest on.
~~broken hearted
Misty
To the family of the late Dave Fayette (aka Mr.Dave), my heart and prayers are with you all. Mr. Dave was a very nice and giving person. My sister was one if his “Savannah Kids”. He blessed my sister and our family with our very own personal computer and introduced us to the world of technology. My family and I will always and forever be greatful for Mr. Dave.
– O.Johnson
Fred and Family, I’m so sorry for your loss of your brother. I hung around with Dave, Joe Lynch, and Tom Rivers for about a year after high school and before I joined the Navy. We used to play “two hand touch” football on the Edmond’s front lawn – right across the street from the Lynch house. We used to have very interesting philosophical discussions about finance and emotional entanglements. Dave was a really good guy. I wish I could have spent more time with him, but somewhere along the way we lost touch with each other. I remember one time he was going to teach me how to drive, but the night before we all had gone to the A&W for quarts of root beer. The quart container at the time was in the shape of a megaphone, so we cut the bottom out of one and pulled off the road, turned the lights out and waited for some poor unsuspecting car and driver to drive by. When a car did come by, Dave turned on his lights, pulled out and I used the megaphone to make a siren sound and pull the car over; then, thinking we were so clever, we drove off laughing. But we weren’t so clever after all, because the driver took down the licence plate number and contacted your father. Your dad wouldn’t let Dave take the car for a month, that ended Dave’s plan to teach me to drive. I don’t remember seeing much of Dave after that. I hope it wasn’t because your dad came to the conclusion that I was an evil influence on him. Dave was one in a million … no, Dave was one in 300 Million.
My sisters and I were raised at Marble Island by Dave, Fred, Karen and the Fayette clan, with a whole swim team of other kids. I cant express the sorrow in our hearts. Just about every day my father and Dave strategized their stock market positions betting who had the better ones. I remember his taped shoes and the clubs! I remember his smiling, intense and inspirational discussions that made you think and want to do better. He was a courageous man as well. I remember a story; one winter day he was skating around Marble Island. Moses (his rabbit loving dog) was running around the Island but got too close to the island where the ice was thin and Moses fell through. It was the backside of the island, out of site from the club. Moses panicked and was breaking the ice trying to climb out. Dave yelled at him to be still and the dog stopped. Dave laid on his stomach, crawled to edge, grabbed Moses by the collar and pulled. Moses was able to get his front paws up on the ice and with Daves help he climbed out. Lord knows what could have happened to Dave if he broke through as well. That was Dave The hooks, I could go on about those. Being a gullible teenager I was easy prey! From those years at Marble Island there are scores of families that owe Dave (and the Fayettes) for an immeasurable quality of life you couldnt find anywhere. Dave taught us how we should treat each other and all of us kids, then, adults now, took that with us. Truly a life well lived.
Dave and his brother Fred helped make the Marble Island area a wonderful place to live when they owned the resort. We still own a summer camp right off what used to be the old 8th fairway of the golf course. Never had to buy a golf ball !
The Fayette family is a treasure of wonderful Vermonters who have all made our area a great place to call home.
RIP to David, and also just recently, his brother Fred. Rest easy fellas.