David A Hamway

On Friday, February 21st, 2020, David Arthur Hamway, a loving husband and father of four daughters, passed away peacefully at the age of 76 surrounded by his loved ones. 
David was born on October 20th, 1943 in Patterson, New Jersey to Jessie and Louis Hamway. He received his Bachelor of Arts in 1966 and his Masters Degree in Education in 1984 from the University of South Florida. He taught as an English professor for 20 years at Saint Paul’s School in Clearwater, Florida and for 22 years at Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Florida. On February 11th, 1972, he married Paula Oravetz. Together, they raised four successful daughters, Jacquelyn, Jennifer, Michele, and Jessica. 
David’s passion for education was evident by his dedication to the profession. He influenced the lives of countless students throughout the years. His love for literature and language created a vibrant classroom where students could explore their creativity and deepen their understanding of poetry. Outside of the classroom, David continued to impact students’ lives by coaching tennis and basketball and by preparing upcoming graduates for college entrance exams. He was not only a teacher but also a mentor to his colleagues offering advice and guidance that would forever shape the future of education. 
As a husband, father, and friend, David could brighten a room in seconds with his quick wit. He had a love for athletics where he spent many hours playing tennis and practicing taekwondo. He enjoyed flats fishing in the Florida sun and fly fishing in the New York Mountains. His brilliant mind immersed itself in the challenging games of poker while his playful side loved spending time with his family. David was fascinated by life, and he took pride in sharing his wisdom. 
David was preceded in death by his father, Louis, and his mother, Jessie. He is survived by his wife, Paula, his four children, Jacquelyn, Jennifer, Michele, and Jessica, his seven grandchildren, Jocelyn, Grace, Mason, Madelyn, Sara, Jake, and Harvey, and his great grandchild, Liam. 
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 14th, 2020, at 1030 am at the Thomas A. Edison Congregational Church on 1619 Llewellyn Drive, Fort Myers, Florida 33901.

“Now cracks a noble heart. Good
    Night, sweet prince,
And flights of angels sing thee to
    Thy rest!”    --Hamlet, V .ii.359-60
 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.