David Arthur Sherman

MIDDLETOWN - David Arthur Sherman, 71, of Middletown, RI, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2014 after a brief illness. Born August 14, 1942, he was the son of Edna Holt Sherman and Alton Parker Sherman, Jr.He leaves his wife, Judith Fisher Sherman, his sister Virginia Sherman Russo, and his brother Peter H. Sherman Sr. and his wife Linda Sherman. His brother-in-law, Pietro Russo, precedes him in death.David graduated from Rogers High School in 1961. He served in the Rhode Island National Guard for several years. He also retired from the Middletown Fire Department, where he served the community courageously for more than twenty years. He also operated the family business, Newport County Propane, for many years. Dave began working in the propane industry during his elementary school days when he began doing odds and ends for Fred Armbrust, who originally owned the business. Dave's future was sealed when Mr. Armbrust gave him a pipe wrench for one of his early birthdays. On the day Dave got his driver's license, he took a load of propane tanks to Rogers High School and went right to work after school delivering propane. He eventually convinced his father to purchase the company in 1959. Dave continued working hard right up until he became ill just a few short months ago. David was well known and respected throughout the community. He always had a joke to share and greeted everyone with a smile. He collected and restored antique cars and trucks. He enjoyed spending his weekends attending car shows, truck shows, and military vehicle shows.He also leaves his nieces and nephews, Terry Russo Weitz and her husband Mitchell Weitz, Gerardo Russo and his wife Maryse Russo, Melissa Francis and her husband Richard Francis, Holly Cousens and her husband Timothy Cousens, Sarah Sullivan and her husband Andrew Sullivan, and Peter Sherman Jr. and his wife Jocelyn Sherman. He also leaves 13 great-nieces and great-nephews, Erica Weitz, Joshua Weitz, Sasha Russo, Cotter Francis, Nicole Francis, Rebecca Cousens, Abigail Cousens, Andrew Sullivan, Elyse Sullivan, Ian Sullivan, Neil Sullivan, Ellen Sherman, and Audrey Sherman.A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport, RI. Service JAN 23. 11:00 AM Memorial Funeral Home 375 Broadway Newport, RI, US, 02840 info@memorialfuneralhome.com http://www.memorialfuneralhome.com