David Tarasevich

David P. Tarasevich, of Wakefield R.I., passed away unexpectedly on April 12, 2023. He was 69 years old. His family is deeply saddened by his sudden passing.

He was born on December 14, 1953, to John and Madeline (Boyington) Tarasevich, and raised in Westerly, R.I.

After graduating from St. Bernard’s High School, he attended St. Michael’s College for 2 years before starting his career as commercial fisherman in Pt. Judith, R.I. for over 30 years. He later started his position at the University of Rhode Island.

David is survived by his loving daughter, Madeline Bellico, her husband, Michael Bellico, and his loving son Mason Tarasevich. He will be forever remembered by his siblings, John Tarasevich, his wife Christine Tarasevich and his sister Paula Shawyer and her husband, Thomas Shawyer. He also leaves behind several nephews and nieces, John Tarasevich, Johanna Benavidez, Elizabeth Teicher, Peter Tarasevich, Tracy Shawyer and Thomas Shawyer. David is preceded in death by his father, John Tarasevich, and his mother, Madeline (Boyington) Tarasevich.

He will be remembered as a great deckhand and shipmate and one of the hardest-working employees at URI, always willing to volunteer when needed. He enjoyed spending his summers at his favorite place, Misquamicut Beach, with his lifelong friends. He was an avid reader and enjoyed clamming in his spare time. Using his trusty clam rake he always managed to get more than enough clams to share with everyone. David had recently joined the Elks Club and was able to reconnect with several of his shipmates and shared stories of their days fishing. He loved to take walks and speak with anyone along the way. Spending Sundays with his “favorite little girl” Lilly, Madeline's two-year-old yellow lab, was a highlight of his week. His memory will live on in the many lives he touched.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial donations in his name can be sent to the Pt. Judith Fishermen’s Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 386, Narragansett, RI, 02882.