David C. McAveeney Obituary
David C. McAveeney passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, after a long illness.
Born in Boston, MA on April 3, 1941, to John and Betty McAveeney (both originally from Ireland). The youngest of six children, he was brought up in Campton, NH. David happily spent his childhood exploring the backwoods of Campton, helping the family Greenhouse & Nursery business, developing a passion for skiing on the slopes of Waterville Valley and Cannon Mountain, and hiking the White Mountains. He also spoke fondly of his primary education in a 2-room schoolhouse, and still quoted poetry taught by his favorite teacher, Mrs. Dole.
David graduated from Plymouth High (NH) in 1959 and from the University of New Hampshire in 1964. After a post graduate position at John Hancock, while also serving in the Army Reserves, he joined the Peace Corps in 1965. The Peace Corps brought him to Ecuador, where he spent 2 years successfully helping community members organize credit unions.
Returning home, he became director of the Lynn Model Cities Neighborhood Council, a federally funded program to develop citizen participation in identifying needs in their neighborhoods. Several of the programs developed at this time took hold, including the Lynn Community Health Center.
In 1972, David made his first visit to Cape Ann, where he identified a Bay View fixer upper for sale. He bought it in the spring of that year, which was the beginning of his deep love and appreciation for Gloucester. Deciding never to commute again, he founded The Pressroom, a printing company in town, which he successfully ran for 34 years. More significantly, it was during this time that he married Janet (MacNulty) in 1974 –- the two celebrated 50 wonderful years together this past October.
In 1980, he and Janet bought their beloved Annisquam home overlooking the Annisquam River, where they raised their two children, Kevin and Anjala; a place of many of his fondest memories with family and friends. He was a member of the Annisquam Yacht Club (AYC), Annisquam Village Hall Association, The Annisquam Village Library, Annisquam Historical Society, and for 25 years, a Trustee of the Squam Rock Land Trust.
David was not only a printer, but was also a book editor, a book publisher, and an author. Two of his books were Gloucester & Rockport - A Curious Traveler's Guide and Kipling in Gloucester: The Writing of Captain Courageous.
David loved learning, exploring, and serving the community. He and Janet travelled extensively domestically and internationally over the years, was a past board member of the Sawyer Free Library, an avid reader, passionate about art history, and maybe happiest in his garden. He accomplished reaching the summit of all forty-eight 4, 000-foot NH mountains to become a proud member of the Appalachian Mountain Club's 4, 000-Footer-Club. He also continued to ski regularly, and cherished Friday social sails with other AYC members on his Sturdee Cat the We're Here.
David was extremely proud of his children and grandson, and dedicated to his wife, siblings, and extended family, which was evident in everything he did. David's warmth and generosity will be sorely missed by all that knew him.
David is survived by his loving wife Janet McAveeney; children Kevin McAveeney (Rebecca) of Marblehead, MA and Anjala McAveeney of Gloucester, MA; and his grandson Theodore McAveeney of Marblehead, MA. He is also survived by his sister Sheila (Dana) Doherty of Lake Elmo, MN; brothers John (Maureen) McAveeney of Chester, VT and Francis McAveeney of Tewksbury, MA; and many wonderful nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by his parents John and Betty McAveeney. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded by his brother Thomas McAveeney and wife Marie, sister Ann Marr and husband Warren, and sister-in-law Janet McAveeney.
The McAveeney family would like to extend their heartful gratitude to Care Dimensions, Aberdeen Home Care, Lafayette Rehabilitation, and caregivers Jessie, Susan, Haddie, Carmen, Kathy, and Desiree for their incredible support.
ARRANGEMENTS: The McAveeneys plan on holding a celebration of David's life in late spring in Gloucester, MA for family and friends; details will be posted on the Greely Funeral Home website in the coming weeks.
Donations can be made in David McAveeney's memory to the Sawyer Free Library at 2 Dale Street, Gloucester, MA, 01930 or at https://sawyerfreelibrary.org.
