David Joseph Ingallinera passed away unexpectedly on March 4, 2018, at his home in Sitka. He was 62.
He was born October 29, 1955, in Huntington, West Virginia, and spent much of his life in Richmond, Virginia, where he worked for the State of Virginia as a bench chemist, helping to test and safeguard the water for the people of Virginia.
He had a bachelor of science degree in political science from Louisiana State University.
He was an avid backpacker and birder, and met the love of his life on the Appalachian Trail on a weekend backpacking trip in November 1984. She knew she had a keeper when he loaned her his long-johns and a thick, quilted shirt to wear that first night. He married Kathy Landry on March 1, 1986; they recently celebrated their 31st anniversary.
He moved to Sitka during an icy and rainy late September 1996 and made this his home. He was active at Raven Radio as a nighttime volunteer DJ for many years, often doing a rock and roll show from midnight until 4 a.m. on Saturdays, and filled in for many other shows from Classical to Blues and everything in between over the years. He was well-known for his breadth and depth of knowledge about music, especially about The Grateful Dead.
He also volunteered in the office at the Alaska Raptor Center and even held a duck one night to help his wife administer a tube feeding.
He was active for many years in a local dog rescue, helping to arrange to ship dog food and other needed items to Kake, and to coordinate a “floating vet” who went to several villages to spay and neuter dogs and cats. At his home, along with Kathy, he fostered more than 30 dogs over several years and found homes for most of them, with the others settling in to become family members.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy (Landry) Ingallinera; canine companion, Bristol; sister Susan (Gary) Penouilh; brothers Thomas (Debra) Ingallinera, and Michael Ingallinera; nieces Jacquelyn and Jessica Penouilh; nephews Tom, Tim and Tyler Ingallinera; and numerous in-laws, nieces and a nephew on his wife’s side.
He had recently re-connected with his Aunt Joanne Deshane in New York, and enjoyed talking with her about their shared Sicilian heritage.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lucy (Saddemi) and Manuel Ingallinera, and multiple dogs and cats.
No service is planned, but a memorial will be held this summer with a Rock and Roll Grateful Dead theme, at a date and place to be determined.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Sitka Animal Shelter, 304 Lake St., Sitka, AK 99835, or the Sitka Fire Department, 209 Lake St., Sitka, AK 99835.