Celebrating David’s beach life: David Dalecki’s family and friends paid their last respects at one of his favorite places

Friends and family members shared memories of Dave Dalecki at his Celebration of Life ceremony.

By Jeff Dawsey
| 10:00 p.m. April 4, 2017

Dave Dalecki' s family and friends meet in the ocean to celebrate his beach-themed lifestyle. Photo by Marcel Desir

In the midst of a rough time, Cindy Dalecki still managed to show off her constant smile. Photo by Katerina Krjanina Photography Palm Coast Studio

Dave' s Celebration of Life cake read: "A life that touches others goes on forever." Photo by Katerina Krjanina Photography Palm Coast Studio

Palm Coast Observer
Neighbors

With everyone dressed in tropical, beach-casual clothing, friends and family of David Dalecki paid their final respects to the Ormond-By-The-Sea resident on Sunday, April 2, Craig-Flagler Palms Funeral Home.

According to Dalecki’s wife, Cindy, between 750-800 people showed up for the beach-themed Celebration of Life ceremony. On her Facebook page, Cindy posted to those who attended: “We are unbelievable blessed to have you all in our lives. Much love, Cindy, Dalton & Tyler (their two sons).”

The family and a few dozen others gathered for a paddle out the previous day to honor David on the south side of the Flagler Beach Pier.

“I got the idea for the paddle out from when Dave, Dalton and Tyler participated in for the Tommy Tant Surf Classic over the years,” Cindy said. “Barbara Tant explained the details about placing a wreath on Dave's surfboard and letting the wreath float out to sea and I thought it was so appropriate for Dave. Dave loved the ocean. In addition to Salty Church, the ocean was his church. If he had a hard or stressful day, he would go surfing for a little and come back in a great, relaxed mood.”

“The ocean is also one of the places that he bonded with Dalton and Tyler. The weather was perfect, and we had just over 60 people paddle out, so I thought it was a great turnout. Whenever the boys go surfing or body boarding, they know their dad will be out there with them.”

Although Cindy didn’t go out to the beach as much as her sons, she believes she will spend more time there now to be with David.

“I know that I can talk to Dave wherever I am,” she said, “but I think that he will listen more if I am sitting on the beach and talking to the ocean.”

David Dalecki was killed in a car crash Saturday, March 22, on Interstate 95 in Palm Coast.

Supporting the Dalecki family

Friends can make contributions to the family by check (payable to Cindy Dalecki) or by cash deposit at Intracoastal Bank. Donations may also be made through paypal.me/dalecki. The money will help pay for college expenses for David Dalecki’s sons, Dalton and Tyler, and also to help install portable water filters for children in other countries who do not have clean water access.

The Rotary Club of Flagler Beach will dedicate its station at the First Friday event on April 7, to David Dalecki, who was a longtime Rotary volunteer and had served as the club's grill master. The station will serve hotdogs, hamburgers, sausage and peppers, and funnel cakes, and proceeds from the sales will be donated to the Dalecki family. People who would like to donate can also drop off donations at the Rotary tent that night.