David Gracia Mello died on Jan. 19. He was 92.

David was born to Maximina Gracia Mello and Captain Manuel Mello on July 2, 1932. An islander to his core, he always said that he was “just on the mainland temporarily.”

A native of Martha’s Vineyard, he never lost his love of the sea as a sailor or his awe for the sky as a pilot. David was a licensed private pilot and was certified to fly both seaplanes and gliders, as well.

He graduated from Miss Mortimer’s Kindergarten and then went on to Edgartown grammar and high school just a few blocks from his house. He graduated in 1950 in a class of just nine students. He was the first in his family to leave the Island for college. He attended University of Massachusetts in Amherst, earning a degree in physics. He later gained a masters degree in public policy from the University of Baltimore.

He worked as a civilian rocket scientist for the US Air Force in their Cambridge Laboratories. As a rocket physicist, he did atmospheric research leading to the most sophisticated spy systems of the time. He later was employed by the US Navy in Newport, R.I. developing defense systems before taking a position as an engineer for EG&G Company.

He returned to the government as the director of the Inventions Program for the US Department of Energy in Washington, DC, where he was responsible for evaluating and funding new and innovative ideas to energize the planet.

After his retirement from government service, he was initially employed by The Knights of Columbus, then The American Radio Relay League in Newington, and later the Recreation Department of the Town of West Hartford and Dattco in Avon.

David was a voracious reader and lifelong learner. He enjoyed many hobbies and was a life member of ARRL, known as W1DGM, American Aircraft Owners Association, AOPA, EAA, Yankee Territory Coin Shooters and the American Model Yachting Association. He served on the energy task force for the Town of West Hartford. He delighted in working on projects with his grandchildren in his “Garage Mahal” and creating new inventions in his “Laboratory.” He was happiest listening to classical music while eating dinner with Lainey and the boys at his favorite restaurant, “Casa de Mello.”

He leaves his devoted wife, Dr. Elaine Blondin Mello, and two daughters: Sarah Mello of Collingswood, N.J., and Rachel Mello and husband Nicholas of Somerville,; Stepsons Matthew Kriedel and wife, Jennifer, of Newington; Coen Kriedel and wife, Rachael, of West Hartford and five grandchildren: Benjamin, Tanner, Morgan and Mitchell Kriedel, and Charles Temple, as well as the whole Sweeney family who embraced him.

A memorial mass is planned this month in Dublin, Ireland and a celebration of life will follow in the spring. Memorial Donations can be made to the A Better World, 68 S Main St, Suite 201, West Hartford, Conn. 06107.