David Quintal, 67, passed away peacefully at home in the arms of his loving wife Kim, on May 8, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Springfield to the late Cesaire and Gloria ( Serra ) Quintal on August 19, 1952. Coincidentally his wife was also born on August 19, 1952. They were truly best friends and soulmates and were married for 47 years.
David was born and raised in Agawam and attended Agawam Public Schools through grade eleven. He was then awarded a football scholarship for his senior year to Fryeburg Academy Prep School in Maine where he graduated in 1971. At that time, he was accepted to Tampa University to play football and also majored in drama, another of his interests. He ultimately decided to volunteer for the Navy in 1973 during the Vietnam War era. After boot camp he chose a medical path and graduated from the Naval Hospital Corps School in Chicago. He was then stationed in Florida for four years at the Orlando Naval Medical Center as a medic. After completing his service David and his family returned to Agawam where he continued as a medical assistant in civilian life. He also worked in the US Bulk Mail Center in Springfield before retiring.
David was an avid and passionate outdoorsman. Fishing and hunting were in his blood. He was most at peace on a remote lake, river or deep in the woods. Alaska, upstate New York and Anticosti Island in Canada were all like second homes to him. He was also a taxidermist graduating from the Colorado Institute of Taxidermy in Colorado in 2004. Some of his hobbies included wood carving and vegetable gardening. He enjoyed the performing arts, music festivals, fleamarkets and was a very knowledgeable classic and modern horror movie buff.
He is survived by his wife Kim ( Harris ) Quintal, his daughter Lana ( Quintal ) Bradley and his two grandsons Quintan and Xander Bradley of Las Vegas, Nevada, his brother Dennis Quintal and his wife Mona of Ohio and his cousins Lisa (Serra) Pozzuto of New York and David Serra of Southwick, his brother and sisters-in-law Dennis and Darlene Lajeunesse, George and Cindy Cramer all of Chicopee, Mike Harris of Maine and Darrell Harris and Debbie of Florida. His nieces and nephews Rachel, Danielle, Dominique, Jessie, Sean and Brian, and many great nieces and nephews. Also, his beloved black lab "Rambo".
David was a special person and will be missed and remembered by all who knew and loved him.
A walkthrough visitation will be held on Monday, July 27, 2020 from 10AM – 11AM at New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 11:30AM at St. John the Evangelist Church, 883 Main Street, Agawam. Inurnment with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery Chapel with a limit of ten people allowed inside due to current restrictions. Masks and social distancing are required at all locales.
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