David H. Honsinger, Jr

David Henry Honsinger, Jr., (1941 - 2023) - Devoted father, loving husband, stalwart brother, good samaritan, and exceptional human being passed away peacefully, with family by his side, at the Van Rensselaer Manor Nursing Home on September 8th.

Though Dave lived and battled with Parkinson’s Disease for nearly 30 years, his illness is not what defined him. A graduate of the LaSalle Institute class of 1958, he was granted a full scholarship to RPI, which he declined in favor of an apprenticeship at the Watervliet Arsenal. He held a variety of positions over the course of his career at the arsenal, which spanned nearly 4 decades, before retiring and continuing to consult as an American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Certified Senior Level Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD & T) Professional. He served as Vice Chairman of the ASME Committee, led GD & T training seminars across the country, and created the TecEase font.

As much as Dave excelled and committed himself to his work and professional career, he dedicated himself to his family and community even more. As a father to 9 there was no short supply of sporting events, after school activities, and extracurriculars but somehow Dave managed to attend and enjoy the majority. He had an affinity for computers and led a series of adult continuing education classes on basic computing skills at Brittonkill Schools. He was a lifetime member of the Pittstown Volunteer Emergency Corps, having served as ambulance driver and EMT for over 20 years.

Dave was also a world class whistler, had a terrific singing voice, and loved to dance. He and his late wife, Donna, taught County Western Dance at The Loft in Brunswick for many years. He enjoyed stargazing, watching storms roll in, and playing along with Jeopardy– always “betting it all” in the final round and almost always coming up with the correct answer.

Dave was one of the good guys, always willing to help a neighbor or a stranger in need. He was clever and witty, always had a twinkle in his eye and his laughter was contagious. He lived life to the fullest while always doing the right thing. He was loved by all who knew him, and he will be deeply missed.

He is survived by his children; David (Susie) Honsinger, III, Karyle (John) Spink, Michael Honsinger, Laura Johnson, step-son James “Jimmy” Hennessy (Jackie Wilcox), Delia Hubbard, Robert “R.J.” Honsinger (Melissa Flaherty), Donna Riley, and Nedra (Walter) Apple. He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren; Andrew, Leah, Lily, Samantha, Emily, Megan, Timothy, Claire, Lauren, Benjamin, and Violet, as well as his siblings; Dennis Honsinger, Mary (George) Henkle and Karen Honsinger-Charbonneau. He is predeceased by his parents; David Henry Honsinger, Sr., and Mary Charlotte  McGuire, his wife Donna (Horton) Honsinger, and his brothers Thomas Honsinger and Daniel Honsinger, and his 1st wife, Karyle Doe.

Family and friends are invited from 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Tuesday September 12th at the Wynantskill Funeral Home 294 Whiteview Road, Wynantskill. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 10:30 am at St. Henry's Church, Averill Pak.

 In lieu of flowers family requests donations in David’s memory be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to Dr. Era Hanspal of Albany Med Health System, without whom Dave’s life would have undoubtedly been less full.

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