David C. Michniewicz

David Charles Michniewicz, 83, passed away on Tuesday December 12, 2023. David was born in Winchendon Massachusetts on January 27, 1940 to John and Marion Michniewicz.

David grew up in Winchendon and attended school there. After graduating high school his lifelong love of travel was sparked when he drove to California and hitchhiked his way back to Massachusetts.  This passion continued when he joined the Army in 1959  and spent 3 years in Panama and Costa Rica as a topographical engineer, helping lay the groundwork for the Pan American highway. On this tropical tour he obtained the nickname “Alphabet” because the Army couldn’t pronounce Michniewicz.

Upon his return to Massachusetts he met the woman who would take that name, Sandra Tourtellot of Baldwinville. They married in 1964 and Sandi remained the love of his life for 59 years of marriage. Together they raised four children, and traveled far and wide.

A self-described nomad at heart, David eventually visited every state in the continental United States and all of the Canadian provinces. He often spoke fondly of the time he and Sandi drove his 81 year old mother-in-law across the country and back in a small motor home just because she had always wanted to visit Lake Louise.

Their married travels together began after David had parlayed his hands-on Army experience into a successful engineering career, beginning with surveying, mapping and construction inspection for the City of Gardner and Boston-area engineering firms, including Fay, Spofford and Thorndike Consulting Engineers and SEA Consultants. David's curiosity, drive to learn, foresight, and ability to connect with people from all walks of life came naturally and took him further than a college degree could have.

In the mid-1970’s while working for SEA David traveled to York, Maine as the manager overseeing a large sewer project. While collaborating with York’s water district, he saw an opportunity to pursue his love of engineering, critical thinking, and conservation; instead of accepting an offer to become a partner at SEA, he chose to move his young family to York and began his 30-year career as Superintendent of the York Water District.

David was immediately dedicated to the long-term health and safety of York’s water supply. Under his leadership the District soon adopted a 20-year master plan that led to the rebuilding of York's water distribution system and the construction of a modern treatment plant. One of his proudest achievements was securing the future of Chase's Pond, the District's sole water source, by protecting its watershed through responsible forest management and strategic land acquisition.

He also worked closely with the Kittery Water District to develop a special Resource Protection District, one of the first of its kind in Maine. He was a longtime member of the Maine Water Utilities Association and served as president of its board of directors in 1995, and on the board of the York Center for Wildlife in 2004.

David was the embodiment of empathy for people, children, and animals of all kinds. Over the years he adopted several rescue dogs, and loved all of his grand-pets.

In 2006 David retired from the York Water District but remained as busy and inquisitive as ever. He continued to be a staunch steward of the environment, serving on the Board of the York Land Trust, including in the role of board president, and taking on projects big and small, from leading nature hikes and maintaining trails to renovating the Trust’s offices and installing a new sign. As a tribute to David’s legacy, the York Land Trust has dedicated its Stewardship Wing to him “For his outstanding preemptive planning and care for our conserved lands.”

He continued traveling down both new and familiar roads, meeting new people and spending time with old friends, reading incessantly and learning, ever ready for the next adventure. David never could pass up a yard sale or flea market, and he was collecting, repairing, and trading things rustic, antique, and unusual until the end.

But most important to David, retirement gave him more time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and sister. He loved all of them dearly, and never missed a chance to tell them so.

David is predeceased by his parents John and Marion Michniewicz and his sister Linda.

He is survived by his wife Sandra, sons David and John (Ellen), daughters Sarah (Jim) and Cheryl, granddaughters Emerson, Raigen, Larkin, and Edie, and grandson Tiller.

In lieu of flowers please remember David with donations to HART of Maine (Homeless Animal Rescue Team), Good Shepherd Food Bank, The York Center for Wildlife, and the York Land Trust.