David McCandless Jr., 85
GREAT BARRINGTON - David McCandless Jr., 85, of Alford Road died Tuesday, Aug.12, 2008, at Fairview Hospital, surrounded by friends and family.
Born in Elizabeth, N.J., on Jan. 10, 1923, the son of David and Helen Darlington McCandless, he attended Great Barrington schools, the Berkshire School, Cornell University, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earning degrees in architecture and acoustical engineering.
An Army veteran of World War II, he served in France, Germany and Austria from 1942 to 1947, attaining the rank of first lieutenant, and in the Reserves until 1954. He was awarded a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
Mr. McCandless specialized in acoustical architecture both as a consultant in the Northeast and in Texas, and as an instructor in the University of Texas system.
He was a member of the American Institute of Architects and the Acoustical Society of America. After his retirement, he served on the Great Barrington Historical Society and the Great Barrington Historic District Commission.
Mr. McCandless also was a watercolor and pastel artist, winning many awards, including best of show in the National Juried Show for the Connecticut Pastel Society. He was a member of the Southwest and Texas watercolor societies, and a very active board member for the Housatonic Valley Art League. He greatly enjoyed playing music with his family, and was said to tell marvelous stories and have a rich sense of humor. Along with poetry, he wrote a history of his family in Great Barrington and a memoir of his military experience.
He leaves Ellen Murtagh; two daughters, H. Dee McCandless and her partner, Mark Edwards, of Austin, Texas, and Margaret McCandless and her husband, George Dresser, of Holden; a son, David McCandless III and his wife, Carla, of Red Feather Lakes, Colo.; two grandsons, Caleb and Winslow Dresser; three stepsons Gregory L. Bemis, James M. Bemis and Lloyd E. Bemis and his wife, Lyra; nieces, nephews, and many devoted friends.
FUNERAL NOTICE â€' A memorial service is planned for Saturday, Oct. 11, at 4 p.m. at Unitarian Universalist Church, 198 Main St. (at the Methodist church) in Great Barrington.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Unitarian Universalist Meeting's building fund, or the David McCandless Prize fund of the Housatonic Valley Art League, both in care of Finnerty & Stevens Funeral Home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. Remembrances, memories and reflections may be sent to the family through < href="http://www.finnertyandstevens.com">www.finnertyandstevens.com.