DAVID “Dave”, JOHN GALITELLO of Sun Forest Dr., Penn Valley, CA, crossed over on February 25, 2023 at the age of 84, in Grass Valley, California. His valiant battle with Parkinson’s Disease showed his courage in facing life’s most difficult challenge, with a beautiful heart and resilient spirit. Despite the pain and disappointment of the disease, Dave came out a hero and stayed strong until the end. Dave will join his father Morris, mother Rose, brother Kenneth Galitello, Sr. and grand parents John & Josephine Abate, in the hereafter.

Dave was the son of the late Morris Galitello and Rose Galitello-Ryan. He was born May 28, 1938, in Torrington, CT. He went into the Air Force as a young man and went on to be a Tool & Die Machinist by trade. He and Carole decided to move to California in 1980 with his three daughters and two step sons, Michael and Mark and they resided in San Jose for a number of years. Life happens and changes, and in 2000 he retired and moved to Lake Wildwood, Penn Valley, CA.

From the time Dave was a young man, he could do anything he set his mind to. He tap danced as a little boy, loved to dance, had a band called The Sons of David, he sang, played guitar, wrote a couple of songs, built a car, built a house, remodeled multiple houses, fixed whatever was broken, hunted, fished, bowled and taught his children everything he could. Hell, he even played Tevye from Fiddler On The Roof in a stage play at Lake Wildwood. Dave was a gifted and talented man, but never boasted. He shared his wisdom, gave so freely and was always there when anyone needed him. When he was attending Penn Valley Community Church he went with a missionary group to Uganda to help build an orphanage. Those three weeks touched and changed his life in so many ways. He said, “Even though they have nothing, they are happy and full of song.” He had taken his guitar with him and by the end of the trip, he was titled The Elvis of Uganda! He chose to be baptized in the Nile River and he felt a life transformation from which he wrote a song entitled Has It Ever Crossed Your Mind. He was humble and kind; A loving, patient and fair man.
He was passionate about so much in life, and family meant the world to him, especially his grandson Tyler Galitello…….oh, and golfing, so did GOLFING! He loved the races, dogs & horses. He referred to them as the “ponies”. He even owed a race horse, Super Bold that won a race or two during the time he owned him.

Dave touched so many lives and was respected and loved by all. He left feeling his life was full and without regrets. He is survived by his three daughters, Loriann, Dawn, and Wendy Galitello; two step sons, Michael DeGrace and Mark Yellen; two grandchildren, Tyler Galitello and Brianna Galitello, all of California; sister, Jane Galitello-Howe of Florida; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Dave Galitello, this world is not the same without you in it! We love you and miss you, so much.

Dave will be honored at a Celebration Of Life in California, To Be Determined. We will gather and share wonderful stories of our memories of him. If you are unable to attend, please register and sign his page on Legacy.com with your best memories and they can be read at the Celebration. God Bless.