David Hastings

David Hastings, 58, passed away peacefully on Thursday (April 13, 2017) following a brief battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Born Aug. 14, 1958 in Norwich, he was the son of the late Robert and Edith (Seaman) Hastings.

David graduated from Norwich Free Academy in 1976.  He had worked for various local companies before landing a position as a tool and die machinist apprentice at Pratt & Whitney until 1997.  From then until the present, he had worked for Computer Science Corporation.  During his tenure there, he had made many friends throughout the country and overseas as he was able to travel for work in Europe and most recently, Israel, with his friend and co-worker, Donny.

David is survived by his five siblings (and their spouses); two sisters, Elizabeth “Betsy” and Russell Kinney of Columbia and Harriet and Daniel Bennett of Norwich; three brothers, Robert and Joyce Hastings of Crystal River, FL, William and Diane Hastings of Lakeland, FL and Arthur and Shirley Hastings of Ocala, FL; his former spouses, Donna (Headrick) Doroshevich of Norwich and Marie Skinger of Sterling; and his stepdaughter, Danielle Skinger of Arizona.

He is also survived by special nephews and a niece (and their families), Timothy Kinney and Anita Stetson of Marlborough, MA, Christopher and Cynthia Kinney of Enfield, Trevor and Sara Kinney of Coventry and Amanda Kinney and Gary Smith of Nottingham, NH.  David was always there to watch their soccer and basketball games and to help with anything that may have been needed.  He also leaves numerous other nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and his beloved four-legged family members, Willow and Molly.

David was an avid sports fan and loved Red Sox baseball, Patriots football and UCONN Women’s basketball.

He will be sadly missed by all who knew him for his kindness, sharp wit and biting sarcasm – no one escaped his sometimes sharp observations.  David was a good friend to all – always ready to lend a helping hand.

A special thanks goes out to his sister and brother-in-law, Betsy and Russ and family for taking care of David during the final weeks of his life; as well as the Visiting Nurses and Hospice of Hartford Hospital.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 8th from 5-7 PM at the Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home, 167 Old Hartford Rd., Colchester. A Memorial celebrating his life will be on Friday, June 9th at 10:30 AM at the Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Maplewood Cemetery, in Norwich. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 (www.pancan.org) or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org).

Care of arrangements has been entrusted to the Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester.