David Alan Phelabaum

Dave was born in Arlington, Virginia, on Jan. 29, 1959. He worked as a caretaker for 18 years and as a self-employed independent painter. On May 31, 1986, he married the former Melanie Craig at her parents’ house in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Dave was a devoted husband and father. He would do anything for his family. He loved the outdoors, snowboarding and working with his hands. He was an animal lover and would befriend pets everywhere he went. He was well known for his unusual fashion sense and his infectious laugh. Dave picked up his first guitar at a very young age and taught himself to play. Music was very important to him. He loved watching movies with his family and was known to quote them long after watching.

Dave is survived by his wife Melanie Phelabaum, his sister Brownyn (Eric) Hughes, his daughters Jennifer Munoz and Stevie Phelabaum, his sons Daniel and Michael Phelabaum, his grandsons Edwin Maldonado and Jordan Munoz, and his great-granddaughter Isabella Maldonado. He is predeceased by his mother Nona Marie Phelabaum.

He is also survived by his sister and brothers-in-law Dana (Gary), Keith (Phin) and Nancy; his nieces Jamie (Emily), Miranda (Michael), Katherine (Andrew), Jessie and Tessa; as well as numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home, 20 Church St., Saranac Lake, NY 12983. At Dave’s request, there will be no public calling hours. There will be private services for the family at their convenience, and a celebration of Dave’s life will be held at a later date. Family and friends wishing to remember Dave may make memorial contributions in his name to the Tri-Lakes Humane Society in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home. Family and friends can also sign the online guestbook and share their memories at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.