W1GCA 1929 - 2022
W1GCA - David W. 'Dave' Rego David W. 'Dave' Rego
Wellfleet, MA

QCWA # 12154
Chapter 112
First Call: WN5YRX in 1953       Other Call(s): W5YRX W1GCA WB2DZO WA5YJB

David Wyman Rego of Wellfleet went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on June 26, 2022.

David was born in 1929 at his grandparent's house in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts. His parents were Seraphine and Adele Rego, and he was the oldest of four children. He is predeceased by his sister Louise and survived by his sisters Connie and Hilda. He spent his early life in Wellfleet, MA, before going to high school in Newton. Following high school, he attended MIT where he earned a degree in naval architecture and marine engineering.

Upon graduation from MIT, David attended Officer Candidate School and received a commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy. His first post was in Pascagoula, Mississippi, at Ingalls Shipyard. It was in Pascagoula that he met his soon-to-be wife, Betty Jo Pigott. They married in 1954 and moved back to Massachusetts where David completed a second degree from MIT in electrical engineering.

Over the next number of years, various jobs took David and Betty Jo to New York, the Bahamas, New Jersey, and finally back to Mississippi. During those years, they were blessed with three children, Joe, Helen, and James. In 1978, David's wife died suddenly, and he never fully recovered from that loss.

In 1996, after a long career in the ship building industry, he retired to Wellfleet where he increased his involvement in his lifelong hobby of HAM radio (W1GCA). Besides spending a lot of time on the air, he was active in various local and national radio clubs.

David had two loves in his life his family and his church. His children all married and provided him eight grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. David joined Nauset Baptist Church where he served faithfully for many years. It was the support of this church and its faithful members that allowed David to remain in his home until the end of his life.

A memorial service will be held at Nauset Baptist Church at 2:00 PM on Saturday, July 2nd. Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 PM. The church is in Eastham at 1050 Great Pond Road.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Nauset Baptist Church. The mailing address for the church is P.O. Box 1335, North Eastham, MA 02641.