David Roger Surprenant, 84, of New York Mills, NY, passed away on Monday, December 9, 2024, at Wynn Hospital after a long illness.

     Dave was born in Utica, on January 27, 1940, the son of Rene and Alberta (Roberts) Surprenant.  Dave proudly served in the US Marine Corps from 1958-1959. On June 6, 1959, Dave married his soul mate, Dorothy Chrzan at St. Mary’s Church in New York Mills. The couple shared over 65 wonderful years together, raising their three children. Early in Dave’s career, he held many jobs, including working for the City of Utica, Village of New York Mills, Burrows Trucking, Tolpa’s Dairy and was one of the first employees of the then Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica. He even got to meet Bill Haley and the Comets Bobby Rydell, Paul Anka and Frankie Avalon.  For 18 years, he was employed with Consolidated Freightways in Marcy and for 33 years, was a barber and owner of Dave’s Clip Joint in New York Mills. He was a longtime member of the New York Mills Volunteer Fire Department, a parishioner of the Church of The Sacred Heart and St. Mary, Our Lady of Czestochowa in New York Mills. and a past member of Knights of Columbus Council 189. Dave had so many talents it’s difficult to name them all. His first love was singing, which he did many times, singing the National Anthem for the Utica Fire Department graduation ceremonies, the New York Mills Fire Department, The Heart Run and Walk, and anywhere else he was asked to. He had a talent for woodworking, loved bowling and had a love/hate relationship with golf. Dave also held a yearly Cabin Fever Clambake to raise money for various charities, including Operation Sunshine, Hospice Care and the Wounded Warrior Project, just to name a few. In 2002 Dave received a Proclamation, signed by Mayor Timothy Julian for serving the community as a traveling barber for clientele who are house confined due to reasons of health or infirmity by making house calls; for Dave’s portrayal of Santa Claus to the Adelight of area children and for being a true asset to the community. In February 2002 Dave was presented with a Proclamation by New York Mills Mayor, Robert M. Maciol in honor of Dave’s 10th consecutive Cabin Fever Clambake in which Dave has given his time and energy to raise funds for others in need. Dave was inducted into the East Utica Optimist Hall of Fame in 2002.  Dave’s Clip Joint was a proud sponsor of the New York Mills Little League and T-ball team from 2000 to 2006.

     Dave is survived by his beloved wife, Dottie; his three children, Dave Surprenant and Jennifer Weber, Rick and Tammy Surprenant and Robin Talerico and Jim Helmes; eight cherished grandchildren, Cori (Ed) Jasewicz, Kim (Mike) Strong, Erika (Ben) Fusco, Kaily Talerico, Zachary Surprenant, Taryn Surprenant and her fiancée Eli Glesmann, Adriana (Andrew) Benkwitt and Andrew Surprenant and his fiancée Megan Bush; five great grandchildren, Johnny, Alyana, Maci, Joseph and the newest addition, Addyson; three sisters, Beatrice (Dennis) Waszkiewicz, Jean Marlenga and Marlene Burgess and two brothers, Paul (Donna) Jones and Allen (Noreen Anguilli) Surprenant as well as several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Rene and Alberta.

   Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to Dave’s Memorial Mass of Christian burial on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of The Sacred Heart and St. Mary, Our   Lady of Czestochowa, 201 Main St., New York Mills, NY. He will be laid to rest in St. Stanislaus and St. Casimir Cemetery in Whitesboro. Visitation for family and friends is Sunday, December 15th from 2:00-5:00 p.m. at the Heintz Funeral Home, 408 Herkimer Rd., N. Utica. Those wishing to donate in Dave’s memory, please consider the New York Mills Volunteer Fire Department, 1 Maple St., New York Mills, NY 13417. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.