| Date of Birth | December 16, 1941 |
| Passed Away | January 16, 2025 |
| Place of Residence | Hammondsport |
| Home State | N.Y. |
| Service Date | January 25, 2025 |
| Service Time | 11 a.m. |
| Service Location | St. Gabriel's Church, Hammondsport |
| Interment Location | Glenview Cemetery, Pulteney |
David J. Stenger
HAMMONDSPORT – David J. Stenger, 83, of Middle Road (Town of Pulteney), passed away Thursday (Jan. 16, 2025) at Corning Hospital after a brief illness.
David was born on December 16, 1941 in Corning, NY, a son of the late August and Margaret (King) Stenger. He was predeceased by his brother, Bill Stenger, and sister, Joyce (Stenger) Matson.
He began his career at Mercury Aircraft in Hammondsport and later earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). David proudly served with the U.S. Army Reserves and the Air National Guard, being honorably discharged after 18 years.
Throughout his professional life he worked as a contract engineer for many companies in the Rochester area and Corning, Inc., retiring after many years of service. Following retirement, he spent five years as a school bus driver, cherishing the time he spent with the children on his route.
An avid outdoorsman, Dave was involved with the ski patrol for 27 years at the Swain and Bristol Mountain ski resorts. He had a deep affection for Keuka Lake and was a longstanding member of the Keuka Yacht Club where he competitively raced E-scows. He enjoyed boating and making memories by taking his grandchildren, nephews and nieces tubing and water skiing. Dave also had a love for animals, ranging from dogs and cats to horses and even elephants.
Survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy (Nesbitt) Stenger; a son, John (Cathy) Stenger of Georgia; a daughter, Audra Stenger (Cyril Mickelson) of British Columbia; two grandchildren, Jordan (Scott) Camp and Zachary Stenger; two step grandchildren, Alex and Allie.
Relatives and friends are invited to join his family at St. Gabriel’s Church, 78 Shethar St., Hammondsport where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in his memory at 11 A.M. SATURDAY (JAN. 25, 2025). He will be laid to rest at Glen View Cemetery, Pulteney at the convenience of the family.
Following the funeral Mass there will be a luncheon with light fare at the Pulteney Free Library, 9224 County Route 74, Pulteney, NY 14874.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing may contribute in his memory to their favorite charity.
The Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, 35 Main St., HAMMONDSPORT is honored to assist Dave’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances of Dave are welcome below in the comment section or on the Facebook page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
RIP old friend! Thoughts and prayers to your family and friends.
When I set out on sketchy ESCOW sailing career, I traveled to Kueka for my first regatta and was taken in by Dave and Nancy as If I were a decorated admiral. They hosted me and my crew numerous times over the years, fed me and, with endless humor, pulled me out of the dumps after I butchered many a race. No one on the planet kept a grin on their face like Dave did no matter what was thrown at him. The harder the shots, the more confidently he fielded them. We all have humans that command nosebleed heights on our ‘Most Revered Souls’ list and he will always remain on mine. Peace, Dave
Craig
I worked with Dave at Mercury and enjoyed many games of chess at lunchtime. Will miss his recipes.
We spent many great years with Dave and Nancy at Steve and Karen’s enjoying “lake life”. Dave will will always be remembered as a close friend and a very good person with a great smile.
Dave Stenger and Bill Tobin were some of my first Swain Ski Patrol friends. My late husband Ben and I enjoyed those happy early days of our ski patrol careers. Dave will certainly be missed.
Our two families have been united for decades, despite the ocean that separates them, between the United States and France.
Early on, my father would tell my brother, my mother and me about his american cousin. They’d been corresponding since they were teenagers. And the dream my father cherished for so many years was to meet him. Which he managed to do in the 2000s. It was certainly one of his greatest achievements.
I myself had the good fortune and privilege of meeting David (as well as Nancy, Joyce, John and Cathy) in 2003. It was a moving and precious experience. I’ll never forget his kindness, humor, curiosity and warm welcome. Our discussions over delicious meals or on the boat on Keuka Lake are engraved in my memory.
I also treasure the look in his eyes and his gentle smile.
My mother Renée, my brother Yann, my wife Audrey and our daughter Lou join me in offering our deepest condolences to Nancy, John, Cathy, Jordan, Zachary, Audra and Cyril.
May our fathers now be reunited somewhere and exchange again and again despite the language barrier.
With all our love / Avec tout notre amour
Nancy
I’ll never forget him and my heart goes out to you. If you need a friend to talk to I’m in FL but I’ll talk with you anytime… Amy has my number.
His smile, his amazing kind heart, his big bear hugs and his love for you which showed out his eyes…