John D. Wachnicki

Dr. John David Wachnicki of North Conway, NH, passed away at Memorial Hospital on April 22, 2025 at the age of 73, following a four month valiant battle with cancer. Dave, or Daddio, as he was known by family, was born on April 5, 1952 the oldest of four siblings. Dave grew up in Greenwich, CT where from an early age his talents as a woodworker, artist, car guy, and musician began. Dave was a drummer for the Stateliners, a drum corps, and other local bands. The son of a boat builder and an art restorer, Dave taught himself to build the drums he played as a Stateliner. Dave was a Renaissance man. He graduated with a bachelors of science from St. John's University where he excelled in organic chemistry and tutored classmates. Upon graduation, he worked for General Foods before beginning a doctorate program in microbiology and then enrolling at University of Connecticut Dental School. During dental school, a fellow classmate and Dave began building a sailboat using cold molding technique. Upon graduation, Dr. Wachnicki practiced general dentistry in Glenville, CT before a fall from a roof shortened his dental career and he and his family relocated to North Conway, NH to begin a new chapter. A resident of North Conway since 1990, Dave became involved in the community through skiing, cars, and Tin Mountain Conservation Center. Having learned to alpine ski in college on grass roller mats, Dave improved his skills on real snow by volunteering as an Eastern Slope Ski Club ski instructor and also working as a ski instructor at Mt. Cranmore where he earned his PSIA level 1 certification. He also designed, developed, and marketed a pocket-size boot carrier and ice scraper called a “Slope Rope”. Dave's haven was his wood shop. There, he designed and made everything from musical instruments, guitar stools, furniture, cooking utensils, and replicas of antique tools. Dave took several chair making classes at the Windsor Institute, eventually becoming a teacher there. With his skills, he taught many chair makers the art of wood carving used to finish the crest or arms on their high back Windsor chairs. He eventually redesigned and began building and selling spokeshaves, under the name “Dave's Shaves”. Dave sold thousands of his spokeshaves all over the world and was featured in several woodworking and fine tool publications. He handmade each tool custom-order to each client. When he was not in his shop, Dave could be found in his band room, playing blues and rock ‘n’ roll with his “Hey Yeti” band mates: Dr. John Kovalik (lead guitar), Mike Rocheleau (harp), Eddie Bradley (drums), and Dave (bass). Dave was also a songwriter, collaborating with his nephew, Zach Andersen, on the song “Parallel Universe.” Dave shared his love of music and creating with his daughter, Carolyn. They became collaborators on paintings, furniture, and even album art and posters for rock bands. Dave loved cars–from the Mustang he drove in college–to his madeira maroon Chevelle SS–to his ERA guardsman blue replica Cobra. A member of the Mt Washington Valley Car Club, Dave enjoyed cruising in the beautiful White Mountains. Dave loved to cook and entertain. His mother taught him the basics of traditional Polish foods: golumpkis, borscht, horseradish, and pierogies. He refined his skills by watching cooking shows–old and new–and always tweaking the recipes. He was very proud of his Cortland Apple tree and enjoyed assembling a crew at harvest time to pick, peel, and press the fruit. Dave will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 48 years, Dr. Marion Wachnicki; his daughter, Carolyn, and her partner, Paul Doucette of Intervale, NH, and his future granddaughter, Rosemary (due July 2025); his brother Roger Wachnicki (Donna) of Castle Hayne, NC, his sister Barbara Andersen (Michael) of Orange, CT; his nieces and nephews: Eric, Wendy, Zach, Annie, Matt, and Lauren; and the wonderful community of friends who became his New Hampshire family over the past 35 years. Dave was predeceased by his father, John, his mother, Bernice, and his sister Linda. The Wachnicki family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Rabideau, the North Conway Fire Department, the Visiting Nurses, the oncology staff, and the hospice staff at Memorial Hospital, who all came to Dave’s aid and provided comforting and professional care. A wake will be held at Furber's Funeral Home on Friday, May 2 from 4–6pm. The funeral service will be at Our Lady of the Mountain on Saturday, May 3 at 11am. The burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you honor Dave's memory by donating to either: Jen's Friends Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1842, North Conway, NH, 03860 Assistance Canine Training Service (ACTS*), 2928 East Conway Road, Center Conway, NH 03813 *During Covid, Dave's family became puppy raisers for ACTS, training dogs to be individual service dogs or facility service dogs all over the country. Marion's home helper dog, Italia, brought unending joy and smiles to Dave even in hospice. Anyone wishing to forward a personal note, please send it to: The Wachnicki Family, PO Box 980, North Conway NH 03860-0980 When you put away your skis, are ready to take out your bikes, and the yellow forsythia is blooming, we ask you to think of Dave.