David Henry La Cagnina

David Henry La Cagnina, of Highlands, NC, went home to be with the Lord on April 28, 2024. He lived many places in the USA and Europe, but he found his true home in Highlands where he spent the last third of his life.

David was well known for sharing life and joy with friends, and the Sunday brunch he regularly hosted around a crowded banquet table in his art gallery in town was always open to one more guest. He also hosted an annual fourth of July fest to which Highlands in general was always invited. He was a devout Christian and an ardent supporter of Community Bible Church, where he drove a golf cart, rain or snow, to take parishioners from their car to the front door. In his older years he obtained his Life Masters in bridge, an accomplishment that was dear to his heart, and, of which he was more than proud!!

La Cagnina was born to Henry and Alice La Cagnina on March 1, 1937 in Washington, DC. After spending his early years in Puerto Rico, the family moved to Concord, NH where his father was head of the art program at St. Paul’s School. When the family relocated to West Palm Beach, FL, David attended Palm Beach High School where he served as Secretary to the Key Club, alongside his friend, Burt Reynolds, who was President. He also sang in the Trinity Episcopal Church Boys Choir in Palm Beach.

While in Florida, David earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, and he later went on to serve as a Scout Troop Leader for many years, even bringing the scouts on camping expeditions up to the Highlands area where his family had a summer home.

David received an appointment to the US Naval Academy and was graduated in 1959 with a BS in electrical Engineering. During his Naval Academy tenure, he was an award winning Olympic hopeful swimmer, and also a sailing devotee. He sailed in the Newport-Bermuda race in 1958. Following flight school in Pensacola, FL, La Cagnina flew A-4 fighter jets aboard the USS Enterprise off Cuba during the Cuban Missile crisis. He later flew from the USS Shangri-La in the Vietnam War. In later years, David never spoke much about his own war experiences, but he was dedicated and passionate about remembering those who had fallen in the service of the nation. Among his many interests, David was also a poet, and every year on Memorial Day and July 4, he would recite poems he had written to commemorate one of his fallen comrades in arms.

After his Naval service and time in the US Diplomatic Corp, La Cagnina opened his first art gallery with his father, Henry, in Stuart, FL. He later opened a small ceramics factory in Jupiter, FL. He was employed by the Lilly Industries for many years, until he and his father moved to Highlands, NC full time to open the art gallery on the west side of town, which remained open until 2021.

La Cagnina was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Michael Leonardo La Cagnina (Joyce). He is survived by his wife, Jane Webb La Cagnina, his sons, Adam Vyvyan La Cagnina (Julie) and Dominic Vyvyan La Cagnina, their mother, Valerie Vyvyan La Cagnina Thoresby, his sister Giulia La Cagnina Saucier, and nephews, Michael Henry La Cagnina, his brother, David William La Cagnina (Tracy) and their children, Bella and Noah. His lonely, devoted canine, Zac, looks for him every night.

He will be greatly missed by all those in the Highlands community who loved him.

The family is so thankful for the expertise and love of the home caregivers, Eileen Anderson, Loretta Pickelsimer, Robert Doe, and the angel/nurses at The Eckerd Center and of Four Seasons Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in David’s memory to Four Seasons Hospice (171 Hospital Drive, Unit 600, Highlands, NC 28741, The Fidelia Eckerd Center, 250 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741) The Literacy and Learning Center (675 4 th St., Highlands NC 28741) where he has volunteered, to the Performing Arts Center (507 Chestnut St., Highlands NC 28741), or to the organization of your choice.

A service, conducted by Dr. Gary Hewins, will be held at Community Bible Church in Highlands, NC on May 21, 2024 at 3:30 PM followed by a celebration at High Country Wine Tasting (nee La Cagnina Gallery) on Highway 64.

Online condolences can be left at www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the La Cagnina family.