David G. Prather Sr.
May 2, 1944 ~ July 21, 2020
Born in:
New Haven, CT
Resided in:
Branford, CT
David G. Prather, Sr., age 76, loving husband of 49 years to Barbara (Raccio) Prather of Branford, passed away suddenly at Yale-New Haven Hospital on July 21, 2020. Born in New Haven on May 2, 1944, he was the son of the late Thomas Prather and Helen Remillard. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his son, David Prather and his wife Denise of Northford, brother-in-law Frank J. Raccio of Wallingford, a niece and nephew, a great-niece, and two great-nephews.
David was a Physical Education teacher at North Branford High School for 37 years, retiring in 2005. He also taught Health and Driver’s Education classes. He was a huge sports fan, and especially enjoyed hunting.
Friends may visit with David’s family on Thursday evening, July 23rd, from 5-7 p.m. at Beecher & Bennett Funeral Home, 2300 Whitney Ave., Hamden. His Prayer Service will be held during the visitation at 6:30 p.m. Burial will be private. Contributions in David’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, www.stjude.org.
RIP Mr Prather, my condolences to your family during this difficult time
So sorry fir your lose. I had mr. Prather in high school in 1984 he was also my drivers ed teacher great man and funny too. Will be salt missed
My thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.
Laura Donahue, NB class of 1990
I was saddened to hear this news. Mr. Prather probably wouldn’t remember me but I was a student at NBHS (graduated in 1989) and I remember him very well. Mr. Prather taught me (and so many others) how to drive. In the last two years, I had to teach my two daughters’ how to drive and I taught them Mr. Prather’s parallel parking method while telling them stories of the fun I had in driver’s ed. Mr. Prather was the kind of teacher you don’t forget. An all around great guy who had a special way of relating to students. I won’t forget him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Such a swell guy! My high school gym teacher, and when we met again after more than 40 years he immediately remembered my brothers and I. Incredible. He touched thousands of lives in his teaching career, and was one of the most memorable personalities. My sincerest condolences to wife Barbara and family.
Dear Barbara and the Prather families, Laurel & I are very sad to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a great friend, teacher, and all around nice guy. He was a student teacher when Laurel & I were at NBHS, but he was a friend also, we would see him at many functions around the area. He will be missed, may he rest in peace.
I remember Mr. Prather from Health Class and Gym. While he wasn’t my gym teacher, he was always kind when my Achilles Tendon would act up. I remember his smile and his laugh. I am so sorry to hear of his passing and pray that all your loving memories of good times with him can help you through these dark days.
Dave Prather was a real treasure. My father, sister brother and I all had him as a teacher. I got to really know him after high school stopping by his house for eggs and advice. Both were readily available. Of course there was endless witty stories that had me belly laughing from start to finish. From talk about school, life, fishing, diet and nutrition, ammo, deer, itnwas endless. I am so grateful to know him and will remember amd cherish those memories as long as I live. Rest in power in my friend, goodbye for now.
One of my favorite teachers! May you RIP.
One of a kind guy, great teacher, driver ed instructor. He was a class act, and will be missed by many, may he rest in peace
Mr Prather was my driver ed teacher in 1976. I’ll never forget the on road test. He put me on I 95 made me get off and then back on exit 55 very curvy and he shut the car off!!!! We almost died. He calmly turned it right back on and said pay attention! We loved him! God bless and my sincere sympathies to his family.
Andrea Szobota class of 76
Mr. Prather was a great teacher. As a teacher myself I realize that most of my students won’t remember everything I taught them, but how I made them feel. Mr. Prather made us all feel supported, he listened, told a lot of funny stories, and made us feel connected. I hope the memories you shared bring you and your family comfort.
Sincerely,
Laura “Just” Francis class of 2005
Sending love and prayers to the Prather family! Mr. Prather was adored by all of his students and colleagues! Such a great man with a wonderful sense of humor and the best conversations in his class or in the driver’sed car! As a 1999 graduate of NBHS, I owe my awesome parallel parking ability to him! 💛 May he rest in peace!🙏🏽
Two words: Mongo Soccer!!
I had Mr. Prather for gym and health and he was hands down one of the best teachers I ever had. I’m sure so many of his students feel the same. He had the best sense of humor! So sad to hear of his passing. My thoughts and prayers are with his family tonight.
Dear Prather family, I am truly sorry for your loss of such a wonderful man, teacher and friend. I will always remember his quick wit, perfectly stapled corners and doing all his errands during drivers ed. Always a friendly smile and a warm heart who was respected and loved by all. May he Rest In Peace.
Dear Barbara, We are so sorry to hear about David. He was a great teacher and driver instructor. If it wasn’t for him my daughter still would not have her license. 27 years later. Please know you’re in our prayers. With much love. Anthony and Linda Celotto.❤️🙏🏻
I’ll always recall Cousin Dave as a genuine and warm-hearted guy. Barbara, you had one of the best. With loving thoughts,
Margaret P
My love and condolences to Mr Prather’s family. What a big heart he had. He always made you feel encouraged, seen and known….years and years after graduation he still remembered you and the details of your life. What an amazing human, he will be missed.
Denise,David and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. Prather was such a great guy. He was a great teacher and driving instuctor. He will be missed. You all are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. RIP
The best way I could describe Mr. Prather to my wife this morning as I spoke about him…”He’s just a good, good man!”
I regret not being able to visit on Thursday, but trust mine, and my family members who had the pleasure of our time knowing him…well our thoughts and prayers are with your family!
Again…my deepest condolences!!!
Mr. Prather was a legend to all of us who attended North Branford High. He was the kind of teacher who was your friend on and off school grounds, with his fun and energenic personality. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With our deepest condolences.
Linda Kos—Didn’t know him well, but remember his smile and sense of humor. So sorry for your loss.
Dear Barbara and Family,
I am sorry beyond words to hear of Dave’s passing. Such an incredibly warm , generous, funny, and good hearted human being. We were brought together by our love for the outdoors and that spawned an incredible friendship between Dave and our great circle of friends. Dave will be deeply missed by us all. My heartfelt condolences.
Teacher, coach, colleague, and a man with a unique perspective on most all things. My deepest condolences to your family and friends as you will be greatly missed. In my N.B.H.S. yearbook you wrote-“Fap, there’s only one person I know slower than me”. How could anyone ever forget that?…that was Mr. Prather. Rest In Peace
Our sincere condolences to you Barbara and to your family. While we did not know Dave very well, when in his company we found him to have a friendly smile, a quick wit, and a wealth of stories to tell. He will be sorely missed.
Ray and Sue Wilson
Guilford, Ct
Dave was a truly nice man who always had a kind word and a smile, not just for me but for all of my children as well. He was really one of the good guys, and he will be missed. Rest in peace.
My sincere condolences, Barbara, David and family. You all will be in my prayers.
I’m truly sorry the pandemic has prevented me from attending Mr. Prather’s wake this evening. I wanted to tell family members how loved he was by North Branford High School students. He brought so many smiles to kids in gym class and driver’s ed. I will always remember him as a gentle giant with the greatest sense of humor and welcoming smile. My sincere condolences.
Barb, Dave Jr & Denise, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Dave. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
Sincerely, Michelle
To the family of Mr. Prather
We are very sorry to hear of his passing. He was an excellent teacher at the high school and a mentor to our children who had him as a teacher and Driver Education Instructor.
He had an easy way in which he connected with the students and helped to foster their development into the community.
It was always a pleasure to engage in conversation with him as well.
God bless you all.
John & Kathy Delfino & Children
Dear Barbara,
David was a wonderful husband and father. You were the perfect pair and so fortunate to have each other for so long. My heart is broken for your loss. Take some comfort from the knowledge that he is now reunited with his parents and yoursl
Sending prayers and sympathy. Love, Virg
The memories Mr. Prather put in the minds of the students he served are many. He always had a smile and a corny joke to tell. He is remember by so many of his students because of the impact he had on all of our lives. I am sorry for your loss. You will be kept in my thoughts & prayers. Always treasure all your memories and keep his love alive in your heart. He’ll be with you, always watching over you from Heaven until such time you are reunited with him again in the house not built with hands or stone but eternal in the Heavens. Sincerely, Grace Zichichi Marriott
My condolences to you and your family. David was a big part of our family, he was a brother and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you.