David A. Saunders

David A. Saunders, 55, husband of the late Nora Saunders, passed away on December 28, 2019, in North Port, Florida. David was born on June 15, 1964 in Venice, Florida to Lewis M. and Ruth (Mattingly) Saunders. He grew up in Venice, Florida and Newport, Rhode Island. David graduated from Rogers High School in Newport, and later attended Johnson & Wales University for Culinary Arts. David moved to Newport, Rhode Island in 1981 where he met his wife Nora. Nora and David were married at the historic St. Mary’s Church in Newport on September 28, 1991. David and Nora have a daughter, Brooke, who resides in Bristol, Rhode Island. Newport locals may remember David from the many years he and his wife owned and operated the Nutcracker Suite Christmas Shop on Mill Street, a business that was started by David’s family in 1977. David may also be remembered for the abundance of colorful flowers he planted around the store each year, earning him awards for the most beautiful storefront in Newport. David moved with his family to North Port, Florida in 2009, joining other family members who lived in the area, including his mother Ruth of Venice. David was a licensed real estate agent and in North Port where he served the surrounding community by helping others fulfill their dream of finding the perfect home for their families. David was also a talented chef, who won awards for his New England clam chowder recipe and other fine cuisine sauces. David enjoyed spending time with his family and relished preparing delicious food for family gatherings. David will be remembered for being an avid gardener, like his father, for being a lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, and for his spirit of giving and acts of service towards others. David is joined in passing by his wife Nora Saunders, and his parents, Lewis and Ruth Saunders. He is survived by his daughter Brooke, of Bristol, R.I., and his five brothers and sisters: Lewis Saunders and his wife Susan, of Gurley AL; Jeffrey Saunders and his wife Sandra, of North Port, FL; Jonathan Saunders of Clearwater, FL; Brenda Penner and her husband Sidney, of Melbourne, FL; and Jenifer Tilka of Venice, FL. He is also survived by numerous extended family members including aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and many cousins. A Mass of Christian burial will take place on Friday, January 10th at 10:00am in the chapel at Epiphany Cathedral, 310 Sarasota Street, Venice, Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) at 3803 N. Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or online www.nami.org.

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David A. Saunders

June 15, 1964 - December 28, 2019