Surrounded by his loving family, David F. Federowicz of Vineyard Haven, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2026, one day shy of his 83rd birthday.
Born in 1943 to adoring parents Ben and Mary Federowicz, Dave grew up in Naugatuck, Conn., where he distinguished himself as a talented high school athlete. Inducted into Naugatuck’s Athletic Hall of Fame as a captain and three-sport athlete (1993), David went on to become a student-athlete at the University of New Hampshire, playing football and baseball for four years. He was a member of the only undefeated football team in UNH history, capturing the 1962 Yankee Conference championship.
Based on his leadership performance at the 1964 ROTC Training Camp, Dave was appointed cadet wing commander of the 475th Air Force ROTC Cadet Wing at UNH. As a result, he received the permanent rank of Cadet Colonel. In 1966, Dave was commissioned as a second lieutenant, and served at Langley Air Force Base. At the end of his four-year appointment at Langley AFB, Dave received the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service in 1970. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves, achieving the rank of major.
Following his Air Force career, Dave attended the Medical College of Virginia for a master’s in hospital administration from 1970 to 1972. Relocating to New England, Dave took a leadership role at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport from 1972 to ’76. Dave subsequently became assistant director of the Bon Secours Hospital in Methuen from 1976 to 1981. Dave and his family moved to the Vineyard in the spring of 1981 so that he could take the role of president of the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital for the next 10 years. Dave’s last career chapter occurred at Women and Infants Hospital in Providence. He worked in the oncology department and was a network coordinator. In 2011, he retired from the healthcare industry, earned his real estate license, and joined wife Judy and son Sean at Landmarks Real Estate, the family business.
Initially UNH biology lab partners, thanks to the alphabet, Dave and Judy’s friendship evolved into dating, engagement, and then marriage in June 1966. They began hosting dinner parties right away with Air Force community members, and the humorous details about how a large clambake on the inlet of their rented bungalow in Virginia was not postponed despite a loss of electricity still entertain generations at the family dinner table today. Dave and Judy were also enthusiastic members of the Newburyport Newcomers Gourmet Club, and we still fold those recipes into family-favorite dishes for extended holiday weekends. Those recipes have now become beloved meals for their grandchildren. Dave’s spirit of hospitality also extended to the Island community, as hosting the New Year’s open house at their family home on Main Street was a highlight of the year.
When Dave worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport, Conn., and the family lived in historic Guilford, Conn., Dave and Judy got the bug for historic New England homes. This residency honed their restoration skills for their next move, when they purchased and restored Newburyport’s Orlando Merrill House. Their shared passion for historic preservation continued when they moved to the Elisha Luce house in the William Street Historic District in Vineyard Haven. Dave also supported Judy’s commitment to the William Street Historic District Commission in these last 43 years, and they enjoyed making restorations throughout the last four and a half decades to their cherished family home.
Dave, with Judy, also shared a dedication to community philanthropy and service in the Island community. Along with supporting Island institutions such as Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, Martha’s Vineyard Community Services’ Possible Dreams auction, and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum, they served on the board of the Yard. In addition, Dave was a member of the planning board and other subcommittees for the Good Shepherd Parish and, alongside Judy, enjoyed serving as a Eucharistic minister for many years.
Along with spending time with his family on the water, Dave was a longtime Island member at Farm Neck, and enjoyed golfing with his family and friends.
A loyal and humble man forever devoted to his family, Dave is survived by his loving spouse, Judith Eastman Federowicz; four children, Sean Federowicz (Wendy) of Oak Bluffs, Kristen Federowicz Sullivan (William) of Suffield, Conn., Ehren Federowicz (Marilyn) of Bethesda, Md., and Katherine Federowicz of Vineyard Haven; seven grandchildren, Hope Eastman of Oak Bluffs, Cormac Benjamin, Seamus Long, and Ronan Byrnes of Suffield, and Jacqueline Reese, Ashley Arden, and Caitlin Rose of Bethesda; and several brothers- and sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.
Dave will forever be in the hearts of his family and those he touched.
The Chapman Funeral webpage has service details at bit.ly/CF_DavidFederowicz. On Sept. 26, a celebration of life will be held at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club from 11 am to 2 pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dave’s memory to Hospice & Palliative Care of M.V., online at hospiceofmv.org.
