David Steven Melofchick was a great friend to me. I’m sure that this is so for many!
When I was about 8 my grandmother dropped me off at a little beach park on the shores of lake Mohawk. About 10 of us kids were playing a sort of tag /hide and seek on the raft just off shore. Under the raft was a catacomb of 2x6’s, barrels and spider webs. Dave gave me a start when he popped up next to me. I thought I was it. While we hid amongst the spiders, little slits of light and fishy smells we became friends. Later we learned we lived near each other.
Years later in 1972 I moved in with Dave, John Winchell Mahoney, Ned Mc Sheehy, and the now famous Mac Mcgetrik. David’s dad had entrusted him with the family’s greatest asset, their Home. We rented it. At this time in our lives this was a great place to discover who we were and work toward what we would become. Ned had to teach me about crumbs, proper coffee making, and the persistence it takes to be a good musician. Dave taught me much! His reverence for tools, interest in art, appreciation for the Japanese culture and his rich comic humor enriched me and influenced me for the rest of my life. Dave made people laugh more than anyone I knew! We made earrings in the basement and stunk out the house with the smell of antler dust. David did his best to keep the house in good order getting on me for counter wiping, shower curtain care; lawn duty whatever he thought was the right thing to do. David always endeavored to be fair!
During this time David established the He-Man woman haters club and weekly porn shows were an excuse for social revelry on Saturday afternoons. David took classes in Joinery and built the best homemade table I had ever seen. Jack and Susan Smith had one of his tables in use until fairly recently that went back to the days on Watchouge road when Jack, Spider Grannis, Billy Papa and John Kavanaugh started living together. Between Dave’s house as we called it and Watchouge road our years like “Cheers” or “Friends” occurred. Thanks to Jack and his crew they continued out at Kingdom road and later on out on the end of Forest Avenue. I remember one thanksgiving out on Forest Ave. when David cooked one of the turkeys. I was impressed simply by the number of people sitting at the table. I think it was about 26. The ceremonial cutting of the bird was underway. Dave was cutting his buzzard when he finally found the packet of gizzards still in their little bag. His humor wasn’t all planned but he took every opportunity and was always a big part of the picture. His efforts for Halloween were inventive and well executed and yes always funny.
During the time we lived together at his Parents house events occurred that cut short David’s growth in regards to his sense of self worth. Mac Magetrik came home late and drunk and locked himself out on the porch while his cigarette balanced on the edge of the ashtray. The fire almost roasted us! It did roast the house. For years on end his father left it in that burned out depressing state having barely fixed it enough to live in. It wasn’t David’s fault! However with his fascination of the Japanese culture of honor he discussed Hara-kiri more than was healthy and had a great sense of responsibility and shame. Next he had a bicycle accident and broke bones in both his arms. His first great love Marina Grecco stood by him through that terrible time. They could have made a great couple. The final kick was when a nurse he worked with at the hospital seduced him and he lost his best friend Marina. Bada bing Bada boom, I don’t think his sense of self worth ever fully recovered.
Dave had great talent in several areas. He was a great cook, and for many years kept his humor alive. He loved woodworking and if he had access to a good shop I believe he would have made some fine furniture and unique works of art. As it was he was still making interesting candle sticks and artfully shaped wooden swords recently. The MS. Was a weight he carried stoically. Earlier this year he walked to work twice a day and it was 2 miles each way, 8 miles a day. He fought that disease with courage I hope I have if ever I need it. It was a long battle!
I Think Dave was one of the most supportive friends I ever had. He was Generous of heart, infectiously enthusiastic about his interests, and tolerant of others faults. I loved him and really miss him and will miss him for a long time.
